Konono No. 1, Jason Pierce, Boredoms, Liars

Talk of this one-off collaboration quickly spread via text and Twitter on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately though, something doesn't quite work about what should have been a fascinating musical rendezvous. Stage left is Aaron of Liars and various members of the Boredoms ensemble. In the middle. half of Konono No.1, and on the right, sat on a stool, wearing shades, guitar on his lap (uh oh) is a dour looking Jason Pierce. The American rhythm section acquit themselves pretty well, but applying snare and cymbal to the endless eddies of Konono's thumb piano, loose trance is an almost incongruous fit. What Jason Pierce is up to is anyone's guess - he seems to be blamed for the screaming feeback that keeps cutting across the room. The various members of Konono No.1 look deeply unimpressed. Nevertheless, that such a collaboration could be attempted at an ATP is yet more proof that we're at one of the most exciting British festivals in years.

LT