James Holden & The Animal Spirits at the Royal Exchange
Chris Horkan
Electronic 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.
