Gig Review: Micabox
The City of London Festival, (which runs from 26 June to 13 July), celebrates England’s historic trading links with Japan. Being as I’m an ardent fan of Japanese culture, off I trudged. Down to the Spitz, in good ol’ Spitalfields market. It was to check out of ‘Micabox,’ who played a cool mix of traditional Japanese ‘Kagura’ music, marinated with western-based electronica. Micabox are Toshimi Mikami (electronics, vocals, taiko), Kosuke Takaki (fiddle, accordion) Shigeri Kitsu (vocals, minyo singer) Ayako Koike (vocals, Japanese percussion). Their latest CD produced by Haruomi Hosono (ex Yellow Magic Orchestra) is named ‘Hinemosu’. Usually if I go to Japanese-led events, they are pretty much well supported by their own. So I did half expect to see a multitude of crazy hip, young Japanese heads. But no, the venue was full of sophisticated looking, music-lovers, sat politely at candle-lit tables. Visually Micabox looked the part, the guys had their beards plaited and everything.
(The two female singers looked stunning). The soundscapes wafting from Toshimis’ keyboard sounded truly amazing. (Think of the beautiful noises of House-God Larry ‘Fingers’ Heard). Truly magical and enchanting. Traditional Japanese percussion and vocals were slipped over the top. And y’know what it worked! It was like the percussion kept you grounded, while the fragile electronica elevated you skyward, perfect. The crowd sat transfixed throughout the whole set. Even delaying showing their appreciation, for about 2-3 seconds after each song. The stage presence of Micabox was a bit subdued and subtle. (They weren’t exactly thrashing their equipment). Their last number was a version of ‘Amazing Grace’, which was unusual. But the evening did take my mind away from the World Cup for a while at least.
Micabox’ latest album ‘Hinemosu’ is out now on Daisy Music/Farside music.com
Micabox 
