Electric Lounge Austin United States

P3 was the final throw of the FraKctal dice, a gamble as to how the slumbering Crim beast might be pulled into exciting and different sonic spaces. What had begun in London back in December 1997 with ProjeKct was finally coming to an end at the SXSW festival in Texas.

It’s interesting to note how much space is left here in the opening section of the concert. After the opening soundscape and the eerie high-register scrapes and sub-woofer rumbles of Hindu Fizz, Robert plays something of a waiting game, letting Gunn and Mastelotto carry the water for a while.

Utilising some of the themes and areas which other ProjeKcts had previously tested, there’s a looser, almost relaxed presence within this one set. Following a fleeting Sus-taynZ, a track they’ve titled Footnote kicks in. This improvisation goes into some beautiful, ornate harmonies, mellotron-like sustained chords and is reason enough to press the download button. Elsewhere Siezure wobbles ominously but never wholly takes off in the same way when Gunn can bounce the pulse against Levin the way they did in P4.

Although not always as focused as later P3 shows in the same week, there’s nevertheless enough energy and enthusiasm from the players (especially Gunn) as they limber up for their World Tour of Texas. The gig was also notable as Adrian Belew was present in the audience cheering loudly and wondering what he might do as he felt the trio sounded busy enough. Another notable character was present that night in the shape of Finish accordionist called Kimmo Pohjonen who was also playing that night. This encounter which would ultimately lead to the formation of KTU.