TOMORA

TOMORA are coming across as somewhat otherworldly from their communications to mailing list fans, phrasing them as transmissions which tonight come fittingly from EartH on Earth. It’s my first time here at Evolutionary Arts Hackney. The friendly team, helpfully funnelling us to the correct event as there are two on tonight. Down some narrow stairs into the packed subterranean EartH Hall, James Holroyd, who is supporting on these debut UK dates, is fittingly playing a Chemical Brothers track.

TOMORA, for the unaware, is a new collaborative project between The Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands and Nordic artist AURORA. Rowlands comes on stage wearing dark clothes and a cap, reminding me of a younger Rick Smith from Underworld. Two figures also appear wearing short white dresses with bright magenta accessories on their arms—AURORA is joined by Amalie, a solo artist in her own right but also part of the Aurora live band. There’s an expectant cheer from the crowd. 

The screens and lights flash to a vibrant neon pink. AURORA and Amalie moving in a jerky, angular robotic way around the stage, repetitively projecting their voices through massive magenta megaphones for ‘Ring the Alarm’, the first single from the forthcoming album Come Closer. 

As the set continues, and being more familiar with The Chemical Brothers, I’m wondering whether the music I’m hearing is an, as yet, unreleased TOMORA track or something from AURORA’s back catalogue being seamlessly mixed together. Well, I say that, but during ‘The Universe Sent Me’, a Chemical Brothers track with AURORA vocals from No Geography, there’s quizzical looks on the faces around me: is that really Depeche Mode’s ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ coming in as well? It’s a playful, disconcerting touch and you can make out the smiles and voices of the crowd singing along to it. 

There’s a mix of ages, genders and movements in the crowd tonight, some clusters of static statues amid more lively, fluid dancing with hands raised. I’m curious if some have come tonight expecting either AURORA or The Chemical Brothers but have been shellshocked at the chaotic neon assault on their senses?

The higher energy tracks ‘Eve of Destruction’ and ‘My Body Is Not Mine’ are in sharp contrast to calmer songs like ‘The Thing’, where AURORA’s ethereal singing reminds me of Goldfrapp at their best. The set carries you from driving, deep bass moments to euphoric highs and quiet, breath catching introspection. A special moment for me was when radiant pale gold spot lights hit the ceiling and AURORA’s airy do-do-do vocals with a hint of birdsong carry us into the magical track ‘Somewhere Else’; my highlight of those that they’ve released so far. 

They end with the ravey ‘In a Minute’, more blazing neon pink flashing screens with a puzzling silhouette of a cat on the screen. I’m sure it will make more sense once the album is out.

I queued for my coat after happily dancing for 70 minutes and I can’t wait to see them again. There were some technical issues with quiet vocals and some screechy feedback. As this is their second show maybe some small teething problems are to be expected, it didn’t detract from the show for me. I have a feeling that this TOMORA project is the birth of something special and I’m already hoping for a second album.

TOMORA’s debut album Come Closer is released on 17th April and they’re on a world tour now.