Kit Sebastian live review: a unifying experience
A few years ago, I stumbled upon an image of Kit Sebastian’s debut album, Mantra Moderne. It had just been released and I knew nothing about them, but I was enticed by the black-and-white image of the duo, their gazes avoiding the camera and their shoulders adorned with feathers. I put the album on, and instantly fell in love with their unique take on retro-inspired psychedelia.
Even though many of the songs are performed in Turkish, a language I am not familiar with, I felt a connection to these tracks, which invite listeners to forego borders and boundaries and simply give into the unifying nature of music. At the first stop on their New Internationale tour in Leeds, this was emphasised by the wide array of people who crowded into the tiny DIY venue, Wharf Chambers, to celebrate the release of their third album.
Everyone from middle-aged Radio 6 listeners, young couples, and student-age friendship groups were sandwiched next to each other – it appeared that Kit Sebastian harnessed the power to get everyone dancing, even those who seemed reluctant at first. On their new record, the band explores themes such as the threats of global destruction caused by greed and the experiences of being an immigrant, alongside classic topics like love, and their desire for unification and solidarity with one another was apparent through their performance.
Near the beginning of the set, lead vocalist Merve Erdem tossed an inflatable pink flamingo into the crowd, leaving strangers to pass it between themselves. The fact that the flamingo was carried over people’s heads like a crowd-surfer for several songs straight was testament to the band’s ability to create a sense of community, challenging the idea that we were all just individuals in attendance. Erdem treated the crowd like one great organism, and her energy bounced off audience members, whose enjoyment subsequently radiated back.
Erdem proved to be an incredible bandleader, introducing songs with compelling storytelling ability. She locked eyes with smiling fans and danced across the stage, pointing out her love for several people’s dance moves, who were freestyling it in the front corner. Strangers began to dance together as she commanded the crowd effortlessly, and she didn’t hesitate to get everyone to try out a popular Turkish dance move.
Over the course of 15 songs, the band maintained an upbeat energy that could’ve happily gone on for even longer. From new cuts like the intoxicating ‘Bul Bul Bul’, and the French-pop-inspired ‘Ellerin Ellerimde’, to older numbers such as ‘Senden baska’ and ‘Durma’, Kit Sebastian knew how to keep momentum going. Their performance of ‘Pangea’ from Mantra Moderne was a highlight. It’s perhaps one of their most danceable songs, and as the penultimate track on the setlist, we were encouraged to find a sense of euphoria and celebration in its infectious instrumentation.
Ending on ‘New Internationale’, a song which features frantic keys and Erdem’s spoken word depiction of the state of the world, the singer disappeared for a few moments, only to return with a big flag bearing the words Kit Sebastian and New Internationale. It felt like an apt close, ensuring that none of the audience would forget the performance they just witnessed.
Luckily, with the colourful presence they brought to Wharf Chambers’ charmingly dingy gig space, the band won’t have to worry about anyone forgetting the show any time soon. It was as instantly affecting as the charm they exhibited on that old album cover that turned me onto them in the first place.
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