Pixel Toy Live in Youth Square
Joining the distribution revolution started by Radiohead, local electro-pop duo Pixel Toybid farewell to selling discs and made their music free online for download. Now the group is selling pixels and toys to support their work.
Pixel Toy’s gig on Friday (Aug 19) was electrifying with heart-pounding beats. The show was intimate, Ho Shan and lead singer Candy Wu credit their success to the hearty assistance of friends and families. On multiple occasions, they waved to uncles and aunties in the crowd.
To start the set, the duo greeted a frigid crowd with Mama doesn’t love Jazz from their album “O…Oh.” Although Candy’s vocals seemed at odds with the dominating background music at first, the pair swung into synchronicity after a few songs.
Remixes and covers are a consistent element in Pixel Toy’s music. On Friday, they performed a twist of their signature electro-mechanical vibes with Joy Division’s Love will Tear Us Apart, from their last album. New remix tunes this time included Paris by the recent in town Friendly Fires and Canto-pop classic Grey of Sandy Lam.
The drum-jam between Ho Shan and guest performer Arai Soichiro was a highlight in the Friday show. Ferocious on the conga, Arai’s drumming amplified Ho Shan’s kinetic set.
After the second guest performer Veegay finished her solo, Ho and Candy reappeared on stage in pixel-themed pajama outfits. Their Summer, Spring, Autumn—an adaptation of Shocking Blue’s Inkpot—turned up the heat on the crowd. Despite a few technical problems with lights and sound system, audience fervor persisted until the end of the show.
A fortnight ago, Ho Shan announced on Weibo that new songs of Pixel Toy will be free for download from now on, and in return, he urges fans to buy Pixel Toy merchandise.
“Thanks for buying tickets to our show. Before you go, please get our t-shirt designed by my cousin (owner of Fashion label Triple-Major) and Francis Lam (local pixel artist who owns label dbdb). The tees are definitely a hipsters must-have.” Ho Shan half-jokingly emphasized on the fashionista part.
In recognition of the group’s name, Pixel Toy, merchandize currently comes in two varieties—tees with naughty pixel icons, or a sex toy (cock ring vibrator).
Michele Fan
For more pictures of the gig, visit our Tumblr blog at http://timeouthk.tumblr.com/
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