Jon Hopkins

Jon Hopkins is without a doubt one of the most innovative and creative electro musicians working in the UK at this date. Although he is not a huge commercial success, you cannot deduct from the success Hopkins has achieved over a relatively short career span.

His latest Mercury Prized nominated album 'Immunity' was a shining example of alt-dance goodness and it came with an equally well considered live show. Although the live dates were limited, the concept of quality over quantity could not have been anymore true. Hopkins created a dystopian-like sound space in which the audience became completely absorbed and lost whilst soundtracked by the eerie, ethereal 'Light Through the Veins' and 'Colour Eye'. The haunting tones of Bat For Lashes' Natasha Khan sounded stunning on 'Garden Heart' whilst the finale of 'Open Eye Signal' was awash of visuals, reverb and heavy bass tones. An incredibly talented musicians and one of the most intriguing live performers on the circuit.

I got to see Jon Hopkins perform live in a small venue in Seattle last November.

It was the first time I had seen him live, and was really impressed with his style and grace. He has a unique and interesting way of putting together cool technological sounds. It was really mesmerizing and engaging to listen to, and to watch him work at his music.

I don’t think there wasn’t one person in the audience that wasn’t truly enthralled by watching him manage all the equipment he has. It really was like watching art being created. His beats and melodies are a huge mix, from funky, to smooth, to mystical, to creepy. I loved watching how he could just focus so well, almost not knowing there was any audience there watching him, and just create these awesome sounds and melodies.

Some of them almost sound like you were in a huge concert hall watching an amazing orchestra. It is kind of mind-boggling that all of this comes from just one man using special equipment.

I love this fellow sooooo....and he put on a good set, well crafted and full of familiar favorites highlighted by some improvisatory knob twiddling and the like, as well as a couple newish bits. That said, for my part, I would prefer that people could digest his (and others--FourTet comes to mind) more subtle works in a live setting. Sadly, most people just want to dance...and so the artist has to please the crowd, understandably. I would most like an hour and half of the lovely lullabies.

Hands down the best live concert I've been to in a long time. The newest album is a dream to hear live and this was made even better by the Audio-Visual effects, which were amazing! The venue is a really great space with a stunning sound system and tech. at hand - but really the credit goes to a fantastic artist who performed amazingly. Most of the setlist was from his newest release, but his editing and remix of these tracks and sneak peeks of some newer tracks made it even better!

So I was excited to see him , unfortunately the DJ before played from 19.30 - 21.40. Jon didn't come till then and the set was very short. Music was good but his DJ mixing stage was so far away that you really didn't know if he was playing or it was recorded. I really didn't get the improvisation which I was looking for. Like I said the music was great, great visual but too short. I never been to a show before where the guest beforehand had longer slot then the main attraction.

I was pleased to see him for the first time after waiting for 5/6 years.

It was a solid experience, I was somewhat disappointed in the sound quality at the O2 Brixton. In the standing stalls, the subs based on the stage blasted directly into the ears, the middle and especially the melody lines were drowned out. Which is my favourite part of his music!

Thankfully he teased us with a little live piano right at the end.

6.8/10 - Will see again (with better sound).

Although I was in the circle this was still a great show. Loved the extra visual artists on stage (I'm guessing poi but wasn't close enough to see clearly) and the sound was, as expected, immense.

Will definitely try to catch him again, hopefully next time down in the stalls where I can move around and feel it even more.

Jon Hopkins is great, but never go to Columbiahalle, this place is terrible, it's overcrowded and people have no respect, they think they're in a Biergarten.

( "A review must be at least 30 words long." there you go. )

He's the best! Knows just how to orchestrate all that energy. What were those last two tracks he played during his encore? Teasers of new stuff?

The visuals were amazing too – I can't recommend his concerts enough.

Just saw Jon Hopkins at Coachella Weekend 1 and had a total blast - came back for more at this concert at Pappy & Harriets a few days later - enjoyed every minute of his performances. I think you would also.