6 things we loved about alt-J at 6 Music Live
We've seen some extraordinary music so far at 6 Music Live 2017, and we're only midway through the week. Wednesday was the turn of triangle-fans alt-J who wowed the Maida Vale audience and brought along a few surprises. Here are 6 things we loved about their performance:
1. Marika Hackman joined the boys on stage!
Marika has toured with alt-J and previously provided vocals for the band's second album 'This Is All Yours'. So, when they were announced to play 6 Music Live we hoped they'd bring the talented multi-instrumentalist on stage with them. Well, they didn't disappoint! 'Last Year' was one of the highlights of their set, with Joe and Marika's voices intertwining perfectly.
alt-J feat. Marika Hackman - Last Year
Marika Hackman joins alt-J to perform a track from current album RELAXER.
2. Gus and Joe told us how 麻豆社 Music Introducing gave them a boost
On 麻豆社 Music Introducing's 10th Birthday, alt-J remembered the part they played in discovering and promoting the band. After putting their music on the Introducing Uploader, they were tipped for great things and picked to play a session for Steve Lamacq at Maida Vale for the first time (watch alt-J perform 'Tessellate' back in 2011 ). That session was a sign of the great things to come, although they were so nervous they compared playing their instruments to "playing through treacle".
alt-J talk about their 麻豆社 Music Introducing experience on its tenth anniversary
Lauren Laverne discusses music with restaurateur alt-J and recording at Ely Cathedral.
alt-J returned to Maida Vale half a decade on - hear how 'Tessellate' sounds in 2017:
alt-J - Tessellate (6 Music Live 2017)
Watch a track from alt-J's 6 Music Live performance
3. They were accompanied by strings and brass
Joe, Gus and Thom took to the stage, backed by 5 string-players. Sweeping violins and a cello book-ended alt-J's session making '3WW' and 'Pleader' - two tracks from their new album - sound even more epic. And then, when we thought things couldn't get more special, they brought out the horns on another 'RELAXER' track 'In Cold Blood'.
4. Gus talking about his days as a choirboy
Going back even further, alt-J's musical journey began in school lessons and Gus revealed his past as a choirboy. He told Lauren all about growing up in Ely and how his days as a cathedral chorister inspired the new record. He returned last year to get the next generation's voices on record and eventually used them on the song 'Pleader', explaining "Pleader felt just right. It feels like a hymn."
"It was very tall... and cold" - Gus & Joe from alt-J talk about travelling to Ely for their new LP
alt-J tell Lauren about towers and how Gus's childhood choir influenced the new record
5. All the alt-J memorabilia they brought along
Gus and Joe joined Lauren Laverne for a special edition of , where they talked through some of their musical influences and favourite artists. Metronomy, Kings of Leon and PJ Harvey were amongst their picks.
Joe and Gus from alt-J on their musical influences
The pair talk to Lauren about their favourite music and their love of the Mercury Prize.
The real treasure was the alt-J memorabilia they brought along from their archives. Cast your eyes on their vintage merch and a ticket stub from when the band went by the name Daljit Dhaliwal:
6. They got everyone involved on a crowd favourite
We all love a catchy verse and, in amidst the 1's, 0's and the talk of triangles, the band gave us several stand-out moments. alt-J got the whole Maida Vale audience involved as additional "percussion" on 'Fitzpleasure'.
alt-J at 6 Music Live in 30 Seconds
A week of live music continues at Maida Vale.
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See alt-J's performance from day 3 of 6 Music Live on iPlayer
