Gig Review – Tycho Solo Ascent: Live from a Secret Location

The first live gig of the year; well, sort of. I sit back and mosh at home with Tycho's Solo Ascent live stream, aired at sunrise (7am PST) on January 1st 2021.

The anticipation builds as one of the first concerts of the new year draws ever closer. The pre-show now over, a lone synth slowly marks its presence amidst the dark winter morning, calling us to settle in for the ride. We’re greeted with some truly stunning shots of a dark forest, decorated with colourful ambient lighting while our protagonist, Tycho himself, makes his way to the stage. Guitar in hand, and synth in his backpack, he’s ready for his socially distanced moment of glory. In fairness, the middle of the woods couldn’t be any more socially distanced, but it truly adds a sense of space and intimacy that his music always achieves beautifully. A perfect example of visuals complementing the music, which featured both new and old tracks to form a sensational setlist.


Corona may not have been kind to live gigs this past year, but it’s given many the chance to flex their skills in other areas. Tycho has always nailed the visual aspect of his live performances in the past, and he really went all out with this live stream. From beautiful cinematic shots of the local scenery, to creative lighting effects that aid footage from high in the sky looking down on the world. It was like a feature length music video movie, and this really exemplifies what a good online gig can be.


My favourite online gig of the year so far, Tycho’s former life spent as a graphic designer definitely paid off here. I can’t wait to see how he can top this one.