Review: GoGo Penguin at Factory International is ‘a breathtaking fusion of cinematic visuals and genre defying sound’

In an age where audience interaction and artist ego often take centre stage, it’s rare to experience a performance that lets the music speak for itself.

But at Factory International last night, GoGo Penguin made it clear from the outset that words were unnecessary.

From the first few hypnotic notes of the opening track, it became evident that anything worth communicating would be expressed through the complex interplay of piano, drums, and double bass.

GoGo Penguin at Factory International

Manchester’s own GoGo Penguin – Chris Illingworth (piano), Nick Blacka (bass), and Jon Scott (drums) – delivered a mesmerising audio-visual experience that felt less like a conventional concert and more like a journey into uncharted sonic and visual territory.

The cinematic break-beat trio has always been known for their expansive, genre-defying sound, fusing electronica, jazz, rock, and minimalism into an intoxicating mix.

But with their latest collaboration with London-based cognitive design studio TENENTNET, they elevated the performance to a whole new level.

It begs the question, are these the most talented musicians to come out of Manchester?

APOPHENIA

The show, APOPHENIA, combined the band’s intricate compositions with ground-breaking visuals that were as surreal as they were immersive.

TENENTNET’s stunning visuals, projected on a colossal backdrop, took the audience on a kaleidoscopic journey through abstract landscapes.

Vivid coral reefs morphed into floating globes and cells, while rippling hayfields gradually dissolved into intricate zebra patterns, blending seamlessly with GoGo Penguin’s otherworldly jazz fusion.

It was an experience that teased the mind, where beauty and wonder coexisted in a state of dynamic tension.

The synergy between sound and visuals reached its peak during moments of quiet contemplation, followed by explosive crescendos.

As Blacka switched to the double bass for the second number, the visuals shifted to depict vast waves, mirroring the swelling intensity of the music.

Scott’s drumming was a particular standout – a relentless assault on the senses, perfectly juxtaposed against serene landscapes that seemed to ripple and change with every beat.

One of the most awe-inspiring sequences featured haunting images of Japanese snow geese, which dissolved into swirling murmations of feathers.

Another highlight was the strange melding of Utah’s arches into a futuristic dystopia of glass towers, eerily reminiscent of the skyline sprouting from Deansgate Square.

Familiar Manchester cityscapes flashed across the screen, from boarded-up houses to shimmering skyscrapers, transforming well-known spots like Piccadilly Gardens into surreal dreamscapes.

An eerie, empty Market Street appeared, adding to the feeling of disorientation and wonder. The visuals were truly out of this world.

The influence of cinema

GoGo Penguin’s music, which has long been influenced by cinema, felt even more expansive in this setting.

Their score-writing credentials – including compositions for French films like Une Année Difficile and Memento Mori, as well as their live score performance for Koyaanisqatsi – shone through in every note.

This show was a full-scale multimedia performance that immersed you in the space between sound and sight.

Bringing it all back home to Manchester

As the evening came to a close, Nick Blacka took a moment to address the audience, breaking the silence.

“It’s amazing to bring this home to Manchester – a city we love – and to share this incredible collaboration with TENENTNET,” he said.

The choice to debut APOPHENIA at Factory International, with its industrial rawness and state-of-the-art facilities, was a perfect fit for such an ambitious project.

GoGo Penguin’s performance last night was a fully immersive sensory experience, a testament to the power of collaboration between music, technology, and visual art.

You can find out what’s on at Factory International by clicking here