Concert review: Between Zero and One

Between Zero and One.

The coming together of Strike, the ultimate Kiwi rhythmmeisters and the vibrant compositional force that is John Psathas was inevitable.

The resulting collaboration, Between Zero and One launched its Auckland season in the neo-industrial ambience of Q Theatre's Rangitira space in a 70-minute sonic and visual blaze.

The opening "Big Bang" promised in the programme was the first of many coups. We were greeted by swirling electronica and the roving "explosions" on Tim Gruchy's video wall until back-lighting revealed a grid of drummers in a spectacular but ever-so-tight percussive frenzy.

Throughout the evening, music of intelligence and intricacy, mostly by Psathas, had been worked into a brilliant theatrical presentation. Ingenious staging had the musicians in various placements; they rolled in on moving platforms and interacted with the dazzling world that Gruchy projected on them as well as with one another, thanks to director Philippa Campbell.

It was not all instrumental; in one section, a series of Ligeti-like vocalisings bopped away to scatterings of Gruchy gold. In another, the audience participated in some spirited call-and-response, with clapping hands and enthusiastic voices.

Some of Between Zero and One explored upper-level dynamics, but there was also exquisite delicacy, especially when drumsticks were exchanged for mallets.

One particularly effective moment had marimba and vibraphone tangling in duet, while Gruchy's glistening images exploded behind.

At the end of the evening, with disarming naturalness, three players attended to vibraphone while the remaining four clapped, stomped and finger-snapped their goodbyes.

Dog Eat Dog, written by David Downes, was one highlight, not only for virtuoso drumwork but also for its quirky march and the unexpected squawk of kazoo.

The other was Psathas' title piece, a staggering example of how technology can co-exist with the passion of performance.

While the screen hosted guests from Leila Adu singing her soul out in New York to Adam Page, in Wellington, serenading us with not one but two flutes, the Strike musicians effortlessly engaged and worked alongside their distant colleagues.

Between Zero and One has already played the festival circuit in this country (Christchurch in 2013, Wellington and Dunedin last year). Aucklanders should take advantage of its generous five-performance run.