Bardo Pond
Where: The Croft // When: 05/08/2012
by Jodie Humphries
It’s not often you get a band such as Bardo Pond in the fair city of Bristol, so it’s hardly surprising that people were willing to fork out a tenner to indulge in the live experience. The American psychedelic rock band has been out and about since 1991, picking up fans young and old in their wake. Their music is lengthy numbers that entices and enthrals you; it contains a hypnotic motion, while also containing elements of the likes of Hawkwind and Pink Floyd. One moment you can be swaying and at ease with the haunting music, the next moment you feel it take over your limbs as the pace increases and seeps you up as it goes. Isobel Sollenberger’s vocals flutter over the music with an instant ease and compassion, changing at the flick of a switch to suit the mood and feel of the music.
Bardo Pond’s music is strong and deliberate; you could almost go as far as saying explosive. The space feel is clear throughout the distortion and reverb. The need to be involved in the music is strong and over-powering. The whole Bardo Pond experience is hypnotic and entrancing; the entire feel of the music and your surroundings merge into one as you are sucked up into their floating world.
If you get a chance to experience Bardo Pond, grab it with both hands; the tranquillity and movement will clear your mind and leave you wrapped up in the music.
