MONO

MONO - not to be confused with the Irish rock band, who don’t stylise their name in all capitals like this particular outfit - are one of the most important post-rock bands in Japanese history; over the course of a colourful fifteen year career to date, they’ve released six studio albums, each of which has played with the boundaries of their genre in its own unique way. Their most recent record, For My Parents, met with some of the strongest reviews of the group’s career, and confirmed them as one of the few instrumental rock bands that have genuinely evolved with each release to date; they might hail from Tokyo, but they’re very much in thrall to Western shoegaze and ambient bands. Their live shows, too, have been a major part in reinforcing their formidable reputation; they’re incredibly atmospheric affairs that use the volume dial like a weapon, capable of swinging from one sonic extreme to the other in the blink of an eye. Later this month, they’ll make their UK return at the ArcTangent festival in Bristol, after a two year absence; expect a genuinely incendiary affair, with a moody light show, impressively technical guitar work and atmosphere by the truckload all present and correct.