Opus Kink: Oslo, London – live review

Opus Kink
Oslo, London
28th September 2022

Imagine six blokes, gracefully decorated in stick ’n’ poke tattoos, draped in charity-shop chic, led by a majestic frontman who’s like a modern beat poet crossed with an early Joe Strummer. Now add saxophones to that image. This is the best way to sum up your new favourite experimental-jazz punks, Opus Kink.

There’s a confusion in their image, but in an irresistible way. I can’t tell if I’m looking at the next generation of supermodels, the guys who sold me cocaine last week or the guys who asked me for a bus fare on the street. Regardless, a show with Opus Kink feels more as if they are hosting as opposed to performing. It’s a chance to join them on their wild journey, have an insight into their creative minds, and witness something rather breathtaking. They are the ringleaders and we are merely their performers, hypnotised and tailored for their satisfaction as well as our own.

Following the release of their EP ’Til The Stream Runs Dry, the post-punk/jazz collective play a sold out show this evening at London’s infamous Oslo. The place is packed out with people dressed in suits and leather and 90% of the crowd look like they have never owned a shirt with sleeves. However, they are all here to witness Opus Kink craft something spectacular. Throughout the set there’s the fun elements of The Clash’s Wrong ‘Em Boyo met with the urgency of Know Your Rights combined with the grooves of Overpowered By Funk. It’s grotesque jazz mixed alongside punk influences, layered with poetic lyrics being spat over fury-fuelled backing vocals.

It’s clear this band were born to thrive in live situations. The showmanship from statuesque frontman Angus Rogers met with the tightness of the band’s playing and the tastefulness of their musicianship is not to be glossed over. There are chaotic moves coming from them on stage complete with a flirtatious dynamic between the two horn players. It’s obvious Oslo’s stage isn’t big enough for them, but the piling of them on top of each other suits their characterisation and performance. We lose Rogers towards the end of the set but are then rejoined by him when his almost-naked body gets carried from the back of the room to the stage. It takes a particular kind of person to perform in just a pair of pants and a beret and not look like an absolute wanker, and he is this person. 

There’s ghostly elements, fused with moments of anger, terror, and an ability to party. Despite the contradicting emotions, it’s cohesive, effortless and just makes total sense. It’s a blend of poetry, The Clash, jazz, funk, and everything in-between, but it still feels new and exciting. 

I had recently been subject to someone saying how ‘unfortunate’ it is to be an all-male band in this day and age. However, Opus Kink are living proof that it’s not. Today, people are expecting more from these bands, people want talent, people want ability and people want something new. Opus Kink are the answer to this. They are the perfect combination of old yet new, vintage yet modern, and filthy yet classy. They are your new kink unlocked and are the forbidden fruit you have now been given permission to enjoy. Take a bite, enjoy the taste, and welcome to the Opus Kink party – but bring your own booze.

Full setlist:

Chains
I Love You, Baby
Dog Stay Down
Red River Valley/Mosquito
The Unrepentant Soldier
Dust
Malarkey
St Paul of the Tarantulas
Children
Interlude
Wild Bill
‘Til The Stream Runs Dry
1:18
This Train

Listen to Opus Kink’s EP ‘Til The Stream Runs Dry here

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Find Opus Kink at their website here:

All words by Jasmine Hodge. More writing by Jasmine can be found in her author’s archive.

Photo © Bernhard Deckert

Source: louderthanwar.com