Messed!Up
Last night, as part of their highly anticipated “Lumin Rain” tour, Arc de Soleil transformed the intimate basement of Hamburg’s Mojo Club into a warm, undulating soundscape. The Swedish-Sri Lankan brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Daniel Kadawatha, known for his signature blend of psychedelic funk, surf-rock flair, and Egyptian-inspired atmosphere, delivered a performance that was as technically brilliant as it was overwhelmingly heartfelt.
Carpets adorned the stage floor, giving the feeling of an intimate jam session that just happened to have an audience. This easy-going environment perfectly set the tone for the 90-plus minutes of expansive, instrumental exploration that followed. The sound quality was simply superb, ensuring every reverb-drenched riff and tight funk groove hit the audience with crystal clarity. It was a pleasant reminder that the band, led by Kadawatha, is no stranger to the city, having played the Elbjazz festival last year.
The band took the stage and immediately plunged into the deep end with the atmospheric, improvisational opener “Akhet (Jam).” This number served as a hypnotic entry point, laying down a foundation of steady, driving rhythm. The early set maintained this irresistible current with the sun-tinged bounce of “Hypno Sun” and the tight, percussive energy of “Bina Tifa.”
What truly defined the evening was the sheer amount of jamming. Titles like “The Thief in Marrakesh” and the album standout “Dunes of Djoser” were stretched and manipulated, showcasing the band’s mastery of groove and restraint. The energy flowed effortlessly from the laid-back, shuffling rhythm of “Strolling Sloth” to the more direct funk of “Libertalia,” demonstrating how Kadawatha’s music, “without ever really speaking directly to the audience,” interacts purely through powerful melody and atmosphere.
The second half of the set saw the band lean into the heavier, more electric moments from the Lumin Rain album. “Akhet Jam (With Beat)” provided a potent bridge, before launching into the album’s namesake, “Lumin Rain,” which washes over the audience with its “funk grooves and lavish production.” The lively duo of “Riders of the Moon” and “Sunchaser” brought the house down, with the guitar work letting ‘loose with what feels like an impressive, never-ending solo. The crowd was fully immersed, dancing and swaying, reaching a peak of excitement with the popular psych-funk hit “Got Caught in Amsterdam.”
After the final notes of “Midnight in Saqqara” faded, the applause erupted. The reception was exceptionally heartly; the crowd’s long, booming ovations were a visible, almost overwhelming moment for the band. After what seemed like minutes of relentless applause, Arc de Soleil returned for a much-demanded encore, ending the cosmic journey on the highest possible note with the electrifying and exhilarating “Mumbo Sugar.”
Arc de Soleil didn’t just play a setlist; they curated an experience. They brought the mystique and atmosphere of their psych-rock world into the cozy confines of the Mojo Club, leaving the Hamburg crowd floating on a wave of warm, easy-going, and brilliantly executed desert grooves. We all hope that Arc de Soleil will soon be back in Hamburg.
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Photographer: Niko Schmuck
