Gig Review: Hang Massive at The Joiners

The alluring mystical sounds of the UK and Swedish duo, Hang Massive, graced the South Coast last weekend as part of their ‘Luminous Emptiness’ tour. Danny Cudd and Markus Offbeat are one of the world’s most renowned Hang and Handpan artists, with their videos accumulating over 100 million views worldwide. I for one, was one of those viewers many years ago and jumped at the opportunity to see them.

For those who aren’t overly familiar to the Hang and Handpan, it’s a melodic steel instrument played with the hands to create soft sounds that resonate and reverberate similar to a steel drum. The Handpan lends itself to a softer, chilled vibe, so I was intrigued to see what type of performance Hang Massive would bring to us as a full set.

Danny and Markus charmed the crowd using 5 hang pans to deliver a mesmerising performance, mixing their blend of rich Handpan tones and heavier beats. The crowd were soon swaying in unison to the hypnotic music. The set took you on an exotic journey which was further enhanced by closing your eyes, something that quite a few of the audience embraced.

The first few songs were some of my favourites, opening with my personal favourite from the album ‘Warmth of the Sun’s Rays’ which was a satisfying blend of lighter tones with slick beats. ‘The Secret Kissing of The Sun and Moon’ was even more beautiful to listen to live, the reverberations felt soothing and gentle to the soul and you couldn’t help but feel like you were in a state of wonder and discovery.

I was impressed how the set didn’t feel ‘samey’ and the pace and energy increased as the night continued. The rhythm became more upbeat, both Danny and Markus were clearly enjoying themselves and in turn, their energy fed into the crowd. The set demonstrated the duo’s influences from a range of electronic music genres, their blend of ethereal, acoustic sounds and familiar upbeat style made it clear to see why they have had global success across extensive countries and cultures.

As I was transported away, sadly the gig had to end and reality came back. The guys chose their most popular hit ‘Once Again’ to close the evening much to the delight of the audience. The enchanted crowd were treated to one more song before leaving the mystical lands of Hang Massive, back into the chilly October night. The beautiful thing is that we can go back anytime, all we have to do is listen.