Concert recap: Disclosure at Mardi Gras World

In its continuing effort to bring electronic music in all its facets to New Orleans,Winter Circle Presents presented Disclosure last week at BUKU’s home, Mardi Gras World. Disclosure is a brother duo (Howard and Guy Lawrence) from Reigate, Surrey, England. Its sound has been described as a combination of genres and bands, including House, deep house, UK garage, synth-pop, future garage, and UK funky — all of which, for the most part, are explored in their live sets. The incorporation of live drums, keyboards, and bass lift the sound from the press-play-idea of electronica to a genuine performance.

As I walked into the music hall, I didn’t know what to expect: Pictures I had seen previously showed a bare minimum when it came to equipment and set pieces. As I walked by the four nearly empty eighteen-wheelers outside the venue, I knew those pictures were no longer relevant. A show that had once offered two folding tables with PCs and turntables had morphed now into two industrial stage pieces equipped with drums, keyboards, and various other electronic equipment. The backdrop was a massive video wall that seemed to wrap around the two contraptions; moving lights and strobes topped off the set.

The night opened with two deejay sets that could have been played by just about any house emcee on Bourbon Street. They did, however, serve their purpose of warming up the audience for the featured attraction.

Disclosure took to the stage against a monochrome backdrop, and throughout the night the color palette changed to suit the music at hand. Crowd interaction was kept to a minimum, mainly to keep the engine running. The set list was a balanced combination of new material, old favorites, and this year’s release, CARACAL. The evening featured two guest vocalists who rounded out the robust beats the band was putting down.

You can view an extended gallery here: http://jalbum.net/a/1663703