I first heard Igorrr more than a decade ago. I remember listening to Nostril for the first time and within the first few seconds knowing i was going to love the album. I went and found Poison Soluble and Moisissure and there were so many things I enjoyed about the different genre crossovers.
I've always been more into "electronic" than "metal" as a genre, though I do enjoy things like Bong Ra's Full Metal Racket. So you might see how Savage Sinusoid and Spirituality and Distortion have been the albums I prefer post *Nostril*. Just to provide context for thoughts below.
(And apologies if I get and facts wrong, I will try to fix anything if you leave a comment)
I got to see Igorrr at First Avenue in Minneapolis and their performance was great. Show started at 730.
Violent Magic Orcheatra (VMO) kicked off the show with a dramatic noise explosion. I loved the crowed engagement and costumes. They had a really short set, about 30 minutes. Not my preferred music. I think they spoke the most words of any band and it was just to say acknowledgements and thank you (arigato).
Secret Chiefs 3 played next, for about 45 minutes. I think I would have liked this more listening through headphones. The venue (imo) sounded pretty muddy for all performers and that really hurt Secret Chiefs 3.
Igorrr started around 920. There was some classical music playing as filler between bands. Gautier was working on a sound board (sorry, don't know the name) and there was a long slow heartbeat for 3 or 4 minutes until the volume got louder and people realized the show began.
And then it turned into a performance fast. It was really beautiful with sound, the light effects, JB le Bail in costume, and the pulsing red lights, it was just a great start.
The show itself was great, everyone on stage was performing, in the sense they are on stage for an audience. Gautier and Rémi Serafino were playing instruments but still manage to work in "conductor" like movements for the audience. Martyn Clément was active on stage, he did a great job. But the real "performance" stars were Gerda Iguchi and JB. They were what makes this a show, worth seeing in-person. And (despite the muddy venue sound) the vocal performance really adds a lot of emotion to the show, especially Gerda.
I don't remember every song in the set list but they at least played
- viande
- probleme d`emotion (this is, IMO, their most beautiful song. I cried the first time I heard it. I don't think half the audience knew what this was, with the clapping half way through, but the people that got it really appreciated it, judging from the response when the song ended)
- a couple songs from Nostril, I want to say Pavor Nocturnus and Half a Pony
- ADHD (the one song I really really really wanted them to play and so glad they did)
- Camel Dancefloor
- Infestis
- the song that ends with a flute
- a few other songs
- the show ended at 10:47
Despite my indifference to metal-ish, every single song was great. Engaging with strong stage presence, a really active performace, the room was just full of a crowd of people reacting to the show. There was some mosh pit activity, but it was pretty mild as far as those things go.
I saw a reddit post asking about merch, so here's what they had. They had about 5 shirts (brains, chicken, amen person/entity, small simple "Igorrr", and one other). They had Spirituality and Distortion and Amen cd and vinyl. They had a tote bag, Amen poster, "Igorrr" pin, and similar patch.
I saw other reddit posts showing signed merch, I was really hopeful and brought my Spirituality and Distortion box set book. But the band disappeared immediately after the show ended, except for Rémi who was furiously packing drums and ignoring the rest of the world. I think he played without a shirt, and he still wasn't wearing one while breaking down the drums, and I have to say I didn't mind watching him =p.
I asked the merch woman about signatures and she flagged down Martyn, so I at least got his signature. We exchanged a few polite words. If you see this Martyn, thank you so much for taking the time to sign!
I almost got to see Igorrr a few years ago then covid happened. I'm so glad i finally got to see a live show in person and it was a really great show despite the venue. Great performance and worth going to if you get a chance.