James Holden & The Animal Spirits at the Royal Exchange
Chris HorkanElectronic musician and DJ James Holden performs music from his latest album The Animal Spirits at the Royal Exchange, as part of a varied series of concerts in the theatre this winter.
Holden has remixed the likes of Madonna, Britney Spears, New Order and Kieran Hebden during his 20-year career. His first two albums, 2006’s The Idiots Are Winning and 2013’s The Inheritors – both released on his own Border Community label – gained critical acclaim, with the latter being named Resident Advisor’s album of the year.
For his latest album, he has recruited a band – The Animal Spirits – and moved in a bold, synth-led folk-trance direction. The combination of custom-made modular synths plus brass, wind and liver percussion makes the album his most ambitious to date – made all the more remarkable by the fact it was recorded live, in one room, in single takes.
The Royal Exchange’s in-the-round format offers a chance to see and hear this unusual music from every conceivable angle.