Review: Epic ODYSSEUS FINN Offers Fire, Absolution and Transcendence at the Cape Town Fringe

Odysseus Finn is epic. Presented as a part of the music line-up at this year's Cape Town Fringe, this rock band brings together three musicians, bass, guitar, drums, homemade electronics and junk percussion, and blends the enveloping sounds they create with phenomenal imagery that marries filmed footage to audio-reactive video. The result? A singular phenomenon that feels at once deeply ritualistic and startlingly contemporary.

Odysseus Finn consists of David van Witt, Michael McQuilken and Peterre Bourgeoise who, at their first of six performances at the Fringe, played through a half dozen stirring song sequences. The band builds each song on layers of polyrhythmic musical foundations that McQuilken establishes live on stage by sampling several sounds right in front of the audiences eyes. Each piece is subsequently developed through intense live music and core lyrical concepts that penetrate the depths of the soul.

Of the songs played, "Some Do" and especially "Fighting Audrey" resonated with me most, but every song was inspired, and the hour-long set passed far too quickly. The opportunity, after the show, to purchase the band's music on a USB wafer with both of their recordings, DISTRACTION IS THE DEVIL and HERE COMES THE MYSTERY, was a welcome one, providing an excellent way to get to know more of the band's music.

An hour with Odysseus Finn offers fire, absolution and transcendence. Dive in whenever you have the chance.

ODYSSEUS FINN runs in the City Hall Auditorium at the Cape Town Fringe until 29 September and then transfers to City Hall 4 until 2 October. Details of performance times and bookings are through the Cape Town Fringe website.

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