When: 7.30pm on Wednesday 23 October 2019
Where: International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester M1 5BY

We’re delighted to be welcoming Lambert to Manchester!

Five years ago, Lambert appeared for the first time. Well, better to say he was heard from. The person behind the Sardinian bull mask remains unrecognised to this day. There are many rumours about who and what could be hidden behind this mask. And that’s a good thing.

Lambert’s playing is internationally known and in demand. Renowned artists such as José Gonzalez, Deichkind and Moderat have asked for reworks of their tracks and received unique new interpretations. In these five years, Lambert released four solo albums and toured halfway across the continent. After releasing two albums in 2018, one in collaboration with electronics producer Stimming and one with Chicago folk singer Brookln Dekker, in May 2018 Lambert reduced his focus again: alone and disguised at the piano.

Busy days, busy years – so much so that one suspected more than one personality behind this pseudonym. But for Lambert, rumours and names are no more than inspiring sound and smoke. What counts is what really lies behind it: a new Lambert album will continue this story in autumn 2019.

The classification of the artist and phenomenon called Lambert into a narrow genre corset is almost unacceptable due to the versatility mentioned above. Nevertheless, the name often falls into neoclassical contexts. Possibly because his first live performances were in collaboration with Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds. Lambert’s harmonies also speak a clear, different language: melodies between the Beatles and this Chopin meet rhythmic structures and thrilling movements that reference modern electronic dance music. Lambert doesn’t seem to care about popularity or high culture. After all, it doesn’t matter because it is as superficial and deceptive as any outward appearance.

It remains to be said that Lambert, in contrast to neoclassicism and its ambience and the concentrated role of surface and diatonic harmony, sees himself as much more musically versatile. A clear and technically adept interest in music shines through again and again. Bach and Chopin are just as much a theme as Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau. Great heroes you wouldn’t expect to find behind all of his works. Nerdism? No. The catchiness of pop cultural traditions and contrasting inspirations make Lambert a colourful phenomenon as well, a horned pop truffle pig in the mud of neoclassical music. This is true and incomplete at the same time.

Lambert’s next works will certainly teach the world a better lesson again. For just as many personalities could be behind this mask, a single genre can certainly not be enough for this sound cosmos. Perhaps this is the best location for the hidden: everywhere and nowhere, but always exactly there. And that’s a good thing.

This show is 14+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Buy tickets now. Tickets are available from Vinyl Exchange,  WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

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