PICTURES: Indie electronic band deliver unique immersive experience in Darlington

A small but appreciative crowd enjoyed an immersive sight and sound experience at a Darlington venue this week.

Bradford-based alternative duo Experiment 637 brought their brand of indie/electronic folk music to The Forum Music Centre, in the town’s Borough Road.

Mickey Dale, keyboardist for indie rock favourites Embrace, and Ronan Peaker played all nine tracks from the band’s debut album Sleepwater.

Sharing vocal duties, with Mickey on keboards and Ronan on guitar, with some grand backing, the finely crafted mellowness of the dreamy-sounding songs were complemented by some incredible visuals.

Leeds-based filmmaker and animator Alexander Kershaw has created a stunning backdrop for each of the tracks.

Projected onto a giant screen at the back of the stage, the eye is drawn to the striking images – a blend of cleverly edited live action and animation –  with the musicians blending into the sidelines.

Mickey punctuated each song with some gently self-deprecating banter, explaining how the tunes evolved and what they mean to the pair, with some notes on how the videos were created.

Highlights included the gorgeous Kick Me In Your Sleep and the soaring Midday Sun, with an accompanying video filmed at Flamborough Head featuring a tour de force from the ‘actor’ – in reality a music lecturer and friend of the band Alex Halliday.

The Darlington crowd quickly warmed to the duo and when an uncertain Mickey asked if they wanted to hear the “slow” ninth album track ‘Wandering Alone’  – which is often excluded from live sets – it was met with a resounding “yes” and an enthusiastic ovation when it concluded.

The West Yorkshire pair were ably supported by another duo – this time Darlington’s own Analogue Blood.

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While Experiment 637’s performance could be described as understated, Analogue Blood are anything but.

The guitar-driven electronic dance outfit blasted through an energy-infused synthesised set, clearly influenced by the likes of The Prodigy, in what was their last gig of the year, before preparing new material for 2025.

Here are some pictures from the gig:

Experiment 637 (Image: ROB LAMBERT PHOTOGRAPHY)