ACM Freshers Party feat. Led Bib

Event information

***IF YOU ARE PURCHASING THE £5 ACM CONCESSION TICKETS YOU WILL NEED TO PRESENT A VALID ACM CARD ON THE NIGHT TO GAIN ENTRY***

Kick off the new academic year with a night of mayhem at the Boileroom; featuring Mercury Prize nominees Led Bib, guest DJs and a host of live acts. The party rolls on until 2:00am and will no doubt sell out quick, get your hands on a ticket now to avoid disappointment!

One of the original torch bearers for the revitalized young British jazz scene Led Bib released their third studio album ‘Sensible Shoes’, on Cuneiform Records in May 2009. The album was described as a modern classic by the press: “a hands-down triumph” said The Independent, “…a gale of fresh air” wrote The Guardian and the group were described as “The future of jazz” by The Times

Relentlessly dodging definition, Led Bib are both a maverick jazz band and an unlikely rock quintet. Taking their name from a protective garment used on patients during dental treatment, this Walthamstow based five-piece of twenty-somethings pride themselves on side- stepping convention, with incendiary results. The friends, who can usually be found in one another’s homes drinking tea and discussing the merits of biscuit types, have together torn apart the jazz world with their avant-jazz-euphoric-rock explosions of improvisation. And whilst fun may not be something which often comes to mind in relation to jazz, it’s the addition of this playfulness that has over years seen Led Bib throw out any jazz preconceptions and entice a whole new army of supporters to the genre. Combining the energy and passion of a rock outfit with the technical ability of trained jazz musicians their effect is exhilarating.

The group, formed in 2003 by drummer/composer Mark Holub established its current line up around five years ago. Since then they have rocketed into the public consciousness within a swirl of critical acclaim, high profile shows, awards and a growing audience base, won over by their electric live sets - the sonic equivalent of a volcanic eruption backed by a fire storm.

The group released their first album in May 2005 to widespread critical praise and went on to win the 2005 Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, whose previous winners include Soweto Kinch, Tom Arthurs and Empirical. Second album ‘Sizewell Tea’, released through Babel in 2007, moved the group into a new level of awareness with a string of high profile dates: 12 Points festival in Dublin where they represented Britain, the reopening event for the Royal Festival Hall, a 1 hour live session on BBC Radio 3 and a flurry of shows at leading venues including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Pizza Express Soho, North Sea Jazz Festival and more. 2008 saw them release a limited edition CD to more acclaim despite its unavailability in the shops.

Led Bib are bandleader Mark Holub on drums, Liran Donin on electric and stand up bass, Toby McLaren playing Rhodes and piano and Chris Williams and Pete Grogan up front as the two duelling alto sax players. Although egalitarian in design, Holub’s presence as bandleader is felt throughout. Fired by the sounds of Ornette Coleman and John Zorn emanating from the downtown scene where he started out, he leaves his mark on the group by driving tracks through at full throttle with his 700 BPM drumming.

The fourth and latest album ‘Sensible Shoes’ in true Led Bib style is awash with unusual ideas. It takes in a deranged waltz (Yes, Again), Tom and Jerry chases and calypso cheek (Squirrel Carnage) to more sensitive traditional jazz structures (Early morning). There’s a resurrection of electronic pioneer Delia Derbyshire’s ghost (2.4:1 (still equals none)), an ode to Hewlett Packard lament (Call Centre Labyrinth), a reflective, very English, John Surman style ballad (Water Shortage) and epic closing track penned by Williams about a life begun in Edmonton, North London (Zone 4). Their individual references peer out through the likes of Metallica like riffs and Northern Soul licks to New York Downtown influenced improvisation. Led Bib tour the new album throughout the summer ending with a show at the Royal Festival Hall before jazz legend Ornette Coleman.

Led Bib continue to reflect the realities and dreams of life living in London, offering an honest comment on the struggle, drama, losses and loves – but always they deliver it with an element of playfulness.