Thankfully this set was different from last year’s set and it covered at least one song from each of their 6 albums. If you want a visual spectacle and a dynamic frontman then Airbag don’t provide, what they do however is give you an immersive sonic landscape (especially good for our friend ‘blind’ Ray as he just got lost in the flowing sound dynamics) a listening experience to get lost in.
Yet another new venue for me, the Underground in Camden which holds about 500 on 2 levels. A good venue to get up close and personal with upcoming bands.
The Norwegian band are:
- Asle Tostrup – Vocals, Guitars
- Bjørn Riis – Guitars
- Henrik Bergan Fossum – Drums
On tour they add session musicians for bass and keyboards.
As mentioned earlier the two London shows I have witnessed are certainly not visual events, that said they have been in relatively small venues and they are reliant on the poor in-house lighting – and when I say poor I mean piss poor! The odd bit of green and red as a backdrop to 5 band members dressed all in black basically rooted to the spot for the entire set. That said lets focus on the music, which is superior in every respect. Bjørn Riis’ vision for the band I think was to be a bit like Pink Floyd but better – and in fairness they kinda pull it off (they have less dodgy stuff than Floyd – oh.. controversial!). His guitar rules the show, whether in epic solo mode or just playing hypnotic riffs he is the constant. Asle’s voice tonight is good, although some of the mixing is a tad dubious and his vocals get lost during certain passages, but overall a solid performance especially during the quieter sections.
The throbbing metronomic bass line (like marching soldiers) starts the classic ‘Machines and Men’ and the back line of bass and drums rule until Bjorn’s guitar launches into a monstrous Gilmour style solo. Great song to start with and set the tone. Followed by ‘Redemption’ with it’s heavy, ominous bass intro, layered atmospheric synths, and dominant, soaring guitar riff “you’ll get your freedom if you do just as you’re told” – prophetic?
A lot of their songs evolve organically, layer by layer and ‘Killer’ is a classic example of this deeply embedded as it is within Airbag’s signature sound. Asle donned guitar for my least favourite song of the night ‘Broken’ with it’s haunting relationship breakdown lyrics. In fact a lot of tonight’s tracks feature lyrics, with dark undertones, that deal with the erasure of people, beliefs, freedom, relationships, control, alienation and identity. ‘Erase’ being a classic example of this dystopian atmosphere.
Airbag Set List (click on link to see YouTube videos)
- Machines and Men – (A Day at the Beach, 2020)
- Redemption – (The Greatest Show On Earth, 2013)
- Killer – (Disconnected, 2016)
- Broken – (Disconnected, 2016)
- Sounds That I Hear – (Identity, 2009)
- Erase – (The Century of the Self, 2024)
- Tyrants and Kings – (The Century of the Self, 2024)
- Megalomaniac – (A Day at the Beach, 2020)
Encore:
- Colours – (Identity, 2009)
- Homesick I-III – (All Rights Removed, 2011)
The Floydian influence is big on one of my favourite slow burner tracks ‘Sounds That I Hear’ especially on the more melancholic passages with floating keyboard layering, tight drumming and wistful guitars.
‘Megalomaniac’ was another absolute classic highlighting everything that is great about Airbag. Slow, repetitive throbbing and with great lyrics about power, control, and manipulation and off course the obligatory Bjorn mega solo. Wonderful close to the show.
The band receive a raucous reception after each song and they appear quite moved by the adulation, especially as they take their final bow. It’s a pity Asle doesn’t really interact with the audience in-between songs but hey that’s just me I guess. The encores are the dreamy melancholic synth driven ‘Colours’ and a 20 min version of ‘Homesick I-III’ proving beyond doubt that they operate comfortably within the classic 70’s Floydian comfort zone.
So to sum up – a bloody great night of progressive rock at its finest. Atmosphere, ambient passages, melancholy repetitive beats, layered synths and guitar solo’s to die for. I can’t wait for the next LP or to see them again in the UK.
“Don’t you wanna hear / Don’t you wanna see / The colours in my head“
Marko [27 Oct 2026]
PS – have a word with your management company and get a much better venue in London next time e.g. 229 or Koko or Troxy
