HOU Project’s ‘All We Are Fans Of You’ All-Dayer 2012

As dreadful a cliché as it is to say, it’s as if there are no words for what we experience tonight in east London’s XOYO. Toe, a seminal Japanese math group, have been brought over by the hugely admirable HOU Project - a collective whose aim is to bring those Japanese bands they feel are important over to the UK, and vice-versa. The event sent fans of the genre into overdrive when it was announced, its jaw-dropping line-up of respected British alternative bands including Talons, Tangled Hair and Brontide, many of whom have been influenced by Toe’s hugely distinctive guitar-based noodlings over the years. Ireland’s illustrious Enemies, in particular, were a few years ago brought over to Japan by Toe themselves around the release of their debut EP, making this set supporting them on turf a great deal closer to home all the more special. The revery for Toe goes as far as the now three-piece This Town Needs Guns, a few songs into their hysterically-greeted set, announcing that they’ll be leaving the stage early to give Toe as much time as possible to set up their gear. Whilst we’re sad to see them go so soon - though not before an absolutely stellar rendition of ‘26 Is Dancier Than 4’ - it’s definitely needed; Toe’s setup time is horribly lengthy, with the population of the quite literally filled-to-the-rafters venue getting more and more agitated with each painful minute pressed up against somebody else’s back.

All is forgotten, however, when the band finally begin and the two guitarists, bassist and drummer induce an utterly unique atmosphere. We’ve seen instrumental and math-rock bands aplenty over the last few years in this country, most of whom are impressive and very memorable - the likes of Talons, for example, who are our first, ferocious encounter in today’s event - but nothing in our past experience of Western music has prepared us for this. Toe are, quite simply, on another level. It’s as if they are one with their instruments, effortlessly bleeding energy that we rarely, if ever, see in the UK. Not a comment, by the by, on the abilities of our own British artists - it’s a comment on the almost foreign brilliance of this band, giving us a rare insight into their own underground modern musical culture; and it’s completely riveting. Every component of this set - this experience - there’s something otherworldly about; the sound, impeccable, the groove, speaking to whatever core of your body that makes you truly feel the loudly hammered rhythms, the primal energy coming off the four-piece as they wash London in a sound the likes of which it is seldom party to. A heartwarming speech from guitarist Yamazaki Hirokazu before a visceral rendition of ‘Goodbye’ brings the room to a standstill, as, in broken English, he thanks the other bands and speaks of how great a thing it is to be able to create music despite the ‘many sad things in my country’ - a moment we feel lucky to witness.

Tonight does not have the atmosphere of an obscure, underground gig. It feels, on almost every level, like witnessing a legendary act perform to 60,000 fans and yet, it’s also small, sweet and incredibly personal. It’s been an absolute treat to see a band as unique as Toe, and to see artists that respect and support them do so so very openly. We expect great things from the HOU Project in the future; keep your eyes peeled for them.