Bob Jaroc + Plaid Live @ IMAX, London

Opening the first ever Optronica Festival at the BFI London IMAX with the World premiere of their new surround-sound AV project Greedy Baby, Warp Record's artists Plaid and video artist Bob Jaroc brought their electronic music and visual collaboration to the ultimate AV venue, making the most of the amazing 5.1 surround sound PA and, of course, the biggest cinema screen in Europe.

In the early and mid-'90s, working with Ken Downie as the dancefloor-confounding Black Dog Productions, Plaid's Ed Handley and Andy Turner began their recording careers much as they have carried on; making eclectic but inspiring dance music that always managed to neatly side-step the commercial compromises of your average techno act. Splitting from Downie in 1995, the pair released an EP on the neo-electro Clear label before signing to Warp Records. Plaid's first two albums, 1998's Not for Threes and the following year's Rest Proof Clockwork gained a raft of glowing reviews, establishing their reputation. The end of 2003 brought their fourth proper LP, Spokes.

Plaid's live performances always attract a strong following, not least because of their impressive visual dimension thanks to the on-going collaboration with Brighton-based animator and VJ Bob Jaroc. The DVD of Greedy Baby is due for release in 2006 on Warp.

www.plaid.co.uk
www.softloader.com