OLDCODEX at ZEPP DiverCity

On the last day of Tokyo International Music Market (TIMM), OLDCODEX gave a sold-out concert at ZEPP DiverCity. The band consists of two members, singer Ta_2 and artist YORKE who paints during performances. They are supported by a backing band. The band’s concept is to combine art and music together onstage. The backdrop for the show is artsy and colourful. On either side of the stage stands a big canvas, ready to be painted over and over during the show.

The crowd is immediately enthusiastic as the band hits off, and in no time, paint has hit the canvases, and YORKE walks back and forth between the two paintings, rendering the song titles in different fonts, changing the colours and styles. Not only is he colouring the canvases, but he’s entertaining the audience, interacting with them, and headbanging along the music. He often joins in the singing, adding an extra layer to the music.

OLDCODEX use different elements in their music: usually heavy rock with an electronic twist. The audience get into the music right away, and more than once, the venue trembles with all the jumping around. It’s never quiet or calm in the venue, with the crowd radiating as much energy as the band. The same shows on YORKE’s canvases, as colors flash from the paintings, matching with the music.

The time flies, and in no time, their thirteenth song CATALRHYTHM starts up, the happy electro melody fitting with the guitar riff. The singing is rapid, but the audience gets a chance to sing parts of the song and don’t let themselves down. After a rough and heavy guitar solo, YORKE and Ta_2 let themselves go while the audience jumps in and sings parts of the lyrics again.

kick out starts out with a catchy upbeat riff, making the song danceable and happy. YORKE dances along with the audience to the music and entertains them. This is until the drums take over and the audience shout “Hey!” along with the pounding beat. Slowly but surely, the instruments add a layer to the rhythm of the drums. During this build-up, two chosen fans get pulled onstage to participate in the show. Illuminated by spotlights, the lucky duo sing a part of the song, being in the spotlights before they’re allowed back into the pit.

Close to the end, the painter runs up the stairs to the big backdrop and starts writing OLDCODEX on it, adding the letters TIMM and the venue’s name. In this way, the whole stage becomes one big piece of art. In no time, the band finishes their set, only to come back for the encore, beginning with a MC about touring overseas in Taiwan, and playing the Budokan, getting lots of cheers from the audience.

During the encore, the painter makes his final piece to be displayed at the end of the concert. Meanwhile, the backing band’s guitarist comes to the front to show off his finger work. A wall of sound emerges as the audience starts screaming along with the music again, giving all of their energy during the last song. With an amazing guitar solo, the song eventually reaches its end, and with a bow, the members exit the stage, leaving their art behind. The audience continue to cheer, and are soon reaching for their cameras to photograph YORKEs art, which is unique to every concert.

OLDCODEX gave a great show, showing how well art and music can be combined together in a concert setting. It adds an extra dimension to the show that’s live and unique to every concert. Also the crowd immediately got into the music; dancing, jumping and singing along and the band encouraged them, interacting with them a lot and really involving them in the show.


Set List:

01. painter
02. mono frontier
03. #4
04. Backed out
05. Now I am
06. Lost before
07. physical
08. Ignite
09. Achromatic habit
10. bird
11. [Blue]
12. WALK
13. CATALRHYTHM
14. Rage on
15. kick out
16. Landscape
17. reel
18. Bitter Aspiration
19. Eyes in chase

Encore

20. flag on the hill
21. sick of it