Longitude Saturday: Tom Misch heats things up

The title of Tom Misch’s 2016 album, Reverie, is fitting for the dreamy vibes he brought to Longitude with his Saturday set. Cheers and drumbeats erupted as Misch strolled onto stage, jamming on his electric guitar from the moment he steps under the purple beam lights. Misch is all at ease in his casual white T-shirt and Nike shorts, as if he has just rolled up from playing in his living room.

He opens with ‘Colours of Freedom’ — a song with a bass-heavy chorus that pulls lounging Longitude attendees off the ground and towards the front to dance. Next up, is ‘I Wish’ from Reverie. Misch and his bassist face each other and riff off one another for a funky guitar bridge. Misch gives his band ample opportunity to make their own mark, with electric violin and piano solos sprinkled throughout the set. The connection with the other musicians on stage gives the concert a welcome, relaxed jam sesh quality.

The set is full of instrumental interludes, blending jazz and funk influences. There’s even some disco thrown in on Misch’s newest single, ‘South of the River.’ He shifts into a compilation of 90s old school hip hop beats and guitar solo, proving that the guitar around his shoulder is no prop. With a pick in his mouth, Misch announces he only has time for one more, playfully throwing his arms up. Soaring violin opens up Misch’s biggest hit, ‘Watch Me Dance,’ giving the audience of the packed tent a welcome chance to groove along.