I was lucky enough to get to see Amon Tobin perform at the Sydney Opera House as part of the two week Vivid Festival. For those who don’t know Tobin, he is a Brazilian born musician, composer and producer of electronic music. He has released seven albums and is considered one of the most influential electronic music artists in the world. His most recent album “Isam” was released in 2011 and is performed within a massive 3D matrix cube structure.
If you don’t become captivated by the sounds Tobin produces, then the elaborate 3D cube geometric structure will blow you away. As an additional mind blowing experience is the visual projection mapping that takes place on the structure synchronized to every beat and sound of the performance.
Tobin incorporates a mixture of angelic ambient and almost minimalist sounds accompanied by soft fluid imagery, as well as industrial, sc-fi, experimental sounds and sharp systematic visuals. The contrast of sounds and images and colour effects morphs throughout the performance, and at times you’re torn between closing your eyes and immersing yourself in the music or being captivated by the visuals in an almost memorized state.
Photography by Tom Griffiths
The audience created a very exciting and enthusiastic atmosphere. As Tobin came out from behind the set he was confronted by a roar of cheers and applause followed by a thunderous beat of feet stomping the floor. Tobin didn’t disappoint and performed his encore and once again the audience was captivated.
I have to admit when I heard my favourite song being played (“slowly” from the ‘Supermodified’ Album released in 2000) my jaw hit the floor! Hearing it through my headphones compared to seeing and hearing it live…well…there is no comparison. However now, I will never listen to the music the same way.
For anyone that wants a truly unique audio and visual experience, going to see Amon Tobin should be at the top of the list, and if you are going then get me a ticket as well! haha 
I did my best to capture some video and photos (below). The sound was so loud and had so much bass that it is a bit distorted on each clip. Just as a warning, you might want to turn the volume on your computer down a bit!
