A cosmic party in a different Universe.
A review of Noga Erez live show at The Basement East
By N.S Kraft
photos by Alma Reed
October seems to be wasting no time. The sun abandons us earlier, and there’s a sudden change in temperature matched by the scent of musty fallen leaves and crisp cold air floating around. It’s here. That equally loved and dreaded fall weather seems to have taken over the night. A very passionate group of people braves the elements and seeks to find refuge at the basement east, me included. Not only from the cold, but from the, sometimes, inclement reality. You see, you don’t simply listen to music when you go to a Nora Erez show, you are handed an invitation to join in a cosmic party with a different energy in a different Universe… But let’s go back to the beginning.
photo by Alma Reed
As I enter the venue I am greeted by the friendliest staff, it’s early in the night but someone is already warming the room up. As red and yellow lights dance around the place, setting a very cozy and intriguing mood, my ear is latched on to the rhythm. I thank the host for securing my wristband as I open the door and make my way to the main stage… “Is that Jazz? Is that Rap? Is it both?” My brain is obssesively asking. Immediately Mckinnely Dixon seemed to have heard my loud thinking and went from singing ever so gently to some highly energetic raping and singing over the most delicious bass lines my ears have heard in a while. The room is almost full now, and you can feel the anticipation building. People have been eagerly waiting for Noga but make no mistake, this crowd is vibing to every deliberate word and well thought out rhyme the “Make a poet Black” composer is blessing them with. I was very pleased to see an opening act that did exactly that, opened the night without holding back, they gave us everything and then some. This talented human was a true master of ceremony, the word grace comes to mind when I think of his performance. He moved with such ease and such grace around the stage yet you could feel the strength and power of his words and movements, it was like watching a zen master of rap. Truly an incredible experience.
Lights out! It’s time. As the last few people made their way into the now packed venue, you could feel the room temperature changing. I looked around and I could see people of all ages, unique, colorful and giving out vibes of joyous anticipation.There’s movement on the stage, the two musicians that will flank Noga the rest of the night find their places and the first track starts sounding and the room explodes! (I get it, guy in the red shirt screaming next to me, I feel it too. This is about to be one of the best live music experiences of our lives and we don’t even realize yet.) The “Kids” composer is something from another world. Right out of the gates she is moving, jumping, staring into our souls while commanding the stage like an artist that is both well seasoned but feels the excitement as if each show was anew. The impeccable sound (kudos to the sound guy) , minimalistic stage plot, and a very well thoughtout wardrobe made for a beautiful play with the lights and her movement. At times It was almost as if the singer was floating into the nothingness of the universe, and then hues of green and yellow would bring her back to the Earth realm. People were singing along since the first note, really diving into this experience that Noga and her band were creating for us.
Off the Radar unmistakable line “Hear me no one sees me no one” beggins and everyone comes a little bit closer to the stage, and when the chorus hits our bodies simply can’t resist it. Noga Erez music is as unique as it is familiar, you don’t even know how but you end up binging through her entire catalogue of songs like an addict, hardly being able to wait until the next song plays. But live, man, she had us by the throat! Not only the music but the inbetween, her sense of humor, that gentle yet powerful femenine energy and the details! Did I mention how thought out and well prepared this show was? Let me explain it to you, her perfectly manicured nails were the exact shade of green of her outfit. Which had the most beautiful textures and fabric and even her logo as a part of the design. Is this woman for real? All the silver rings that decorated her hands were the cherry on top. A defiant natural look on her flawless face and her now iconic bangs with a bun on top and two braids. This woman is showing us how much of a boss she is and also reminding us she is still a playful kid. And a generous one too, because she gives all of herself on stage. “Switch me off” (My personal favorite of the night) showed us a softer side, it was a very intimate delivery and her fans felt it. We were all swept away by her cry-like, sweet, velvety vocals.A style that not all singers can achieve with such mastery as Noga does.
photo by Alma Reed
This is a show you’d want to experience from different areas, by all means, get close to the stage to get a great look at Noga’s elegant movements and facial expressions and get a glimpse of the nuances of the team non verbal communication, that will convince you they have been doing this for quite a while and for larger crowds for sure. But If you can step back a little bit you will enjoy the full spectrum of her sound and the stunning stage design and light work.
Because If there’s one thing I know for sure is that Noga Erez and her team are committed to every aspect of the show, every detail, color and position.
We laughed with her, we sang with her, we moved w
ith her and followed her commands. We went out on a journey to outer space in a ship that was the basement east and the captain was Noga Erez. And I don’t think we’ve ever come back down from it…At least I haven’t.
NOGA EREZ
https://www.facebook.com/NogaErezMusic
https://nogaerez.com
MCKINLEY DIXON
https://www.facebook.com/McKinleyDixon/?ref=page_internal
https://soundcloud.com/mc-kinley
