Plug Live Presents: Wire

Since their formation in London in 1976, the members of Wire have maintained and advanced a musical project which treats the creative potential of a rock band as a fluid, amorphous medium. As removed from self-conscious intellectualism as they are from the inherent conservatism of much rock music, Wire employ their unique, endlessly restless and risk-taking creativity to question every aspect of songwriting, recording and performance. They delight and disturb in equal measure, troubleshooting the circuitry of perfect pop, or patrolling the limits of focused experimentalism. In terms of working together as Wire, the group’s members disbanded in 1980, reformed in 1985, disbanded in 1992 and reformed for the second time in 2000. Such sabbaticals from their career as Wire have served to sharpen the group’s edge and focus, updating the tactics with which they pursue this shared project.

Balancing history, however, is renewed creativity in the form of the evocatively titled Red Barked Tree, recorded in London during 2010 and composed by the pared down line-up Lewis, Newman and Grey. A bravura soundscape that is as lyrical as it is densely urban, and as plangent as it is futuristic, Red Barked Tree endorsed Newman’s astute observation: « It’s Wire unleashed. Wire always manage to sound like Wire, even though there’s no actual brief that says what Wire are supposed to sound like. That’s a key element in how it all works. »

Tickets are available from Plug Box Office and online