Lineup
Venue
Radius - Chicago
Venue
1015 Folsom
Venue
Venue
Four Tet on Tour
Londoner Kieran Hebden has made music under many names — from Percussions to a moniker composed of binary code — but it's as Four Tet that he became known for reprogramming our expectations of how pretty, organic and expansive electronic music can feel. Since the early '00s, he's been one of the most creatively unpredictable yet quality-reliable practitioners in the field, starting out by minting a genre (the downtempo folktronica), going on to collaborate with everyone from rock god Thom Yorke to jazz great Steve Reid to dubstep genius Burial to Syrian singer Omar Souleyman, and, in later years, bringing an auteur's ear to various dance strains. Like his oeuvre, Four Tet's live show has something for all: dreamy melodies, thrilling experimentalism, thick atmosphere and steady beats. Plus, typically, an amazing light show.
It's possible that Hebden's own heritage helped nurture his interest in harmonious eclecticism. His father was British and his mother was Indian, born in South Africa. Both were educators who no doubt encouraged an intellectual curiosity in their son — he'd go on to get a degree in mathematics/computer science but not before starting a post-rock band in high school, Fridge, and signing his first record deal at 15. Those interests would soon merge as Hebden began to make lo-fi, electronic music incorporating influences from hip-hop, jazz and Krautrock. After a 1997 single ("Double Density"), he changed his name from 4T to Four Tet, added New Age and world music to his source list and dropped a 36:25-long song called "Thirtysixtwentyfive," naturally. In 1998, a bold, beatific remix of electronica master Aphex Twin put him on the map.
But it was 2003's Rounds, Four Tet's third album, that became a sensation for its seamless blend of computer glitch and acoustic instrumentation. The LP landed on countless year-end lists and scored Four Tet the opening slot on a Radiohead tour. The next few years were rife with new ideas — an improvisatory duo with jazz drummer Steve Reid, a noisily upbeat new album (2005's Everything Ecstatic), remixes galore, an unmarked single ultimately attributed to him and Burial — but a new era arrived with 2010's There Is Love in You, which Hebden prepared for via a DJ residency at popular U.K. club Plastic People. His deep dive into warm, energized house- and garage-inspired dance echoes through the Four Tet catalog to this day, on diverse works like 2017's New Energy, as he explores the breadth of his sonic universe.
Encore
In the House of Hebden I always begin The next chapter without A new stage deep within: I commune with spirits I embody their whims I dissolve in their lyrics and embrace their found spins. As the crescendo of the sound sweeps over us all the tide of our ground begins to rise tall. By the end of the ride there is no more I to be only the rhythmic vibe of our resonant sea!
This was the best concert ever four Tet is amazing
Absolutely stunning show, spectacular give me 14 of them!!!
I did not have one bad experience with any staff, or anyone in the crowd. Pure bliss, thank you Four Tet and thank you Kia Forum staff! Best show experience ever! 10/10
He was a master doing master things. I was underwater, I was in a dark warehouse, I was in outer space, I went everywhere across the span of that set. Event organization was top notch, Forum staff were super friendly and helpful, section seating worked well, and vibes were high across the audience both on the floor and in the seats.
I saw his show in LA and i can say that Four Tet put on a great display of mixing skills. I really liked how he transitioned from songs and he’s remix’s. I would recommend going to go see him for great listening experience.
Four Tet curated such a unique experience that we were so lucky to have been at. Will be talking about the sound, the visuals, and the vibe for a long, long time!
I've always thought of Four Tet as an innovator and avant-garde electronic artist. When I bought tickets to his show, I didn't expect a 3-hour DJ set of clubby techno, but that's what it was. Light show was very minimal. I would try to do some research (reddit, youtube) to make sure you know what you're getting into before you take the plunge. The show was not described on Ticketmaster whatsoever - it was a 3 hour opener, followed by a 3 hour DJ set from Kieran starting at midnight. We left at around 1:15 AM, it just wasn't interesting or fun, but a big part of that is because it wasn't even close to what I thought it would be. I love Kieran's music, but decidedly not his DJ sets.
It was an interesting experience. The lights were pretty cool. The sound quality (speaker system) was good, but the mixing was not. A lot of the highs were literally painful. We had to leave early because it was too much. I dig the experimental experience but it lacked cohesiveness and I could tell the crowd was a bit confused. I had high hopes, and was sadly disappointed.
The sound and lights for this show were absolutely incredible. Swirling around in 3D space. So immersive. It was an absolute pleasure to see one of my favorite artists being a genius mad scientist in his element. Supernatural.
