Morgan Delt/Syd Arthur - Oslo, London, 5/6/2017
by Adrian Janes
published: 30 / 6 / 2017

intro
Adrian Janes at Oslo in London enjoys a first-rate night of neo-psychedelia and prog from Californian singer-songwriter Morgan Delt and Canterbury-based group Syd Arthur
An evening of inspiring neo-psychedelia and prog was on the cards with the pairing of California’s Morgan Delt and Canterbury’s Syd Arthur. After the paradoxically bright opener, ‘Hometown Blues’, Syd Arthur’s set was firmly centred on their most recent album, ‘Apricity’, the band playing tracks like ‘No Peace’, ‘Into Eternity’ and the anthemic ‘Sun Rays’ with great zest and fluency. Liam and Joel Magill (guitar/vocals and bass respectively) proved efficient, unshowy players. The more striking contributions came from the third brother, drummer Josh, who slipped in underneath some skilfully tricky time-keeping that never lost time, while Raven Bush, hair exploding like a young Einstein’s over his keyboard, added intelligent and imaginative textures. The instrumental ‘Singularity’ did stretch out to the extent that it began to remind you why progressive music became a byword for self-indulgence, but this was a rare blot on an otherwise enjoyable, well-crafted performance. Morgan Delt is the sole creator of two fine neo-psych albums. I confess it was with some misgivings that I waited to hear how such richness would be presented live. In the event, there was no real attempt to reproduce these outstanding examples of the studio as instrument. Instead, Delt’s four-piece band simply went for stripped-down versions of the originals. This approach worked especially well on ‘Chakra Sharks’, bringing out even more its stampeding force, as also the restrained ‘System of 1000 Lies’, where the sparseness of the backing allowed its elegant guitar motif to rapturously emerge. The response of the audience, which had enthusiastically received Syd Arthur from the off, grew warmer as the set went on, although it was clear that for many Delt’s songs were unfamiliar. Nonetheless, although their basic quality still came across, for the most part they didn’t have the staggering, seductive impact of his albums. Hopefully many present will yet have been intrigued enough to investigate further, as they already seemed to have (rightly) done in Syd Arthur’s case.
Also at Oslo, London
Band Links:-
https://morgandelt.bandcamp.com/https://en-gb.facebook.com/morgandeltmusic/
https://twitter.com/morgandelt/media
http://sydarthur.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/sydarthur/
https://twitter.com/sydarthurband/
Picture Gallery:-

most viewed articles
current edition
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - InterviewJack Frost - As Seen on TV
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
John McKay - Interview
Editorial - July 2025
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Kruder and Dofmeister - Paral-lel 62, Barcelona, 27/4/2025
Skunk Anansie - Old Market, Brighton, 16/5/2025
Yardbirds - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 18/4/2025
previous editions
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....Nitzer Ebb -
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Loop - Loop / Godflesh - Heaven, London, 4/6/2014
Super Furry Animals - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Brad Elvis - Interview
Not Forgotten Girl - Interview
Serge Gainsbourg - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Heaven 17 - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
John McKay - Sixes and #SevensDavey Woodward - Mumbo in the Jumbo
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle
Pulp - More
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Little Simz - Lotus
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart