[EVENT REVIEW] Bicep Charms Radius Chicago With New Audiovisual Chroma AV–DJ Show

Ally Leomporra | April 19, 2024

On Friday, April 12, Chicago was blessed with warm weather and a gentle breeze, but they were even more blessed with a mind-blowing performance by electronic duo Bicep, AKA Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar.

At the end of January, the duo launched their single, “CHROMA 001 HELIUM,” marking their ambitious new project, CHROMA. The project includes a record label, a series of events, a new Bicep AV/DJ show, and a unique visual collaboration with longtime partner Zak Norman of Blackbox Echo with creative input from David Rudnick of Terrain Studio.

CHROMA marks a significant milestone in Bicep’s artistic journey. With their world tour beginning just a day earlier in Austria, the Windy City had the privilege of witnessing Bicep’s CHROMA AV/DJ show in its early stages. Hosting this unforgettable audio-visual experience was none other than Chicago’s premier electronic music venue, Radius.

As the clock struck 10 PM, openers Leesh & Anunaku set the tone for the night. When Bicep took the stage at 1 AM, the atmosphere immediately shifted and lifted the spirits of the crowd.

The duo’s set incorporated a blend of unreleased tracks mixed in with crowd favorites such as “Apricots” and “Water.” And of course they sprinkled in their only two releases from the new album, “CHROMA 001 HELIUM” and “CHROMA 002 L.A.V.A.” which were both met with excitement from the crowd.

The contrast between their new releases and their older discography has been apparent since the release of their new songs, particularly “CHROMA 001 HELIUM,” which includes compressed drums interlaced with a synth arpeggio and intense bass.

The visuals accompanying the music were nothing short of spectacular. Starting with minimalistic elements, they gradually evolved into intricate, thematically cohesive masterpieces. Unlike other EDM visuals that can sometimes feel disjointed or overwhelming, Bicep's visuals were a testament to strong artistic direction, seamlessly synced with the music's vibe and pacing.

From cascading techno imagery to melty video glitches, every visual element contributed to the immersive experience. A clock radio typography served as a captivating visual theme, punctuating the set with intense moments that left a lasting impression. If you closed your eyes, you could even see the imprint of the shapes on your eyelids for a few seconds.

Their performance breathed new life into their signature sound, mixing multiple genres. They frequently intertwined a robust bassline with ethereal vocals, as showcased in tracks like “Opal.”

With only two songs from the CHROMA project released thus far, anticipation for more is palpable. The unreleased tracks teased during the set sparked passionate conversations across social platforms, leaving fans craving for more.

As the night drew to a close, the crowd left Radius with hearts full and minds (and ears) buzzing, eagerly awaiting the next release in Bicep's chromatic journey.