S Poddar
News that Geoff Barrow, founder member of experimental rock band Beak>, has left the collective comes via a statement on Twitter/X posted on September 27, leaving fans contemplating nearly 16 years of a musical adventure that had such an important node as Geoff Barrow leading the way. A respected figure in the music world, Geoff Barrow is also associated with highly influential trip-hop ensemble Portishead.
The band, in truth, gave its opinion regarding Barrow’s leaving in a candid statement. They could affectionately attest to the idiosyncrasies of their time together when they said Barrow was leaving after nearly 16 years of bad language and random tempo decisions. The tone is thus comedic in setting the scene but the feeling signals the end of an era for the band and their fans.
While the departure of Barrow, unsurprisingly, means something is truly changing for the group, Beak> reassured fans that this was not the end of the band: “In terms of future Beak> activity, there’s life in the old dog yet,” the statement read, though they noted the band will need some time to process Barrow’s departure before the band goes back to new music. They said that new projects will surely emerge one day, but the timing is only when they themselves feel ready. “New music & activity will come along when the time is right.”
Barrow’s final live performances with Beak> will be during their upcoming shows in the UK, Europe, and the United States. The statement itself refers to how the journey started for them by saying: “When we first got together to have a jam at the Invada Christmas party in 2008, we had no idea it would result in a collection of albums, singles, E.P’s, and soundtracks we’re all really proud of.” Since then, the band created their unique discography, gained the faithful followers, and brought out something memorable with their experimental edges.
Beak> are never afraid to head off the beaten track, but their fourth studio album >>>>>, released this spring, well and truly lived up to this reputation. They chose not to either tease with singles or advance promotions, but to just step back and let people listen to the album as a whole. It was meant to prod the fans into appreciating the full scope of the project, many ways feeding into the band’s ethos about uncertainty and artistic integrity.
Through Beak>’s discography lies the proof of their growth over years. Starting from the first album in 2009, ‘>’ to 2012’s ‘>>’ and now ‘ >>>’ in 2018, building sound step by step without hesitation on experimenting as far as possible with it. Their ‘ >>>>’ has brought one leap ahead for the listeners. It offers “a different moment, suspended in stasis and simultaneously rushing toward the vanishing point on the horizon,” as described by the band.
For the fans, performances alongside Beak> and Barrow are something very special. They have promised to go all out with these final performances with him. The tour starts on October 30, at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff and then moves across key cities in the UK culminating at Kentish Town, Brighton, Manchester, Glasgow, and Leeds.
UK dates are followed by a European leg; there the band has booked stops in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark through to November. The last two shows for the tour will be performed on December 12 at The Button Factory in Dublin, and on December 14 at Bristol’s SWX.
As Barrow departs Beak>, everyone-both the fans and the band-wait for reflection on the huge amount of influence he’s been holding over the sound and identity of the group. Though this chapter seems to close its pages, the rest of the members have made it clear to take on, and Beak> has literally stated this is not a goodbye forever. It’s had its fair share of years of refinement over the top few years of development that have honed the band’s sounds, but Beak> is ready to keep changing, even if the end does mark the final chapter of a particular era for them.
“Thanks to all our fans old & new for all your support over these last 16 years,” the band concluded in their statement. For now, all eyes are on the tour ahead and a bit more time spent with Barrow. And while the future of Beak> without Barrow remains unwritten, one thing is for sure: their journey’s far from over.
