"flawless drumming, superb choreography, and superhuman energy"
Whenever a major drumming show comes to London, we like to arrange a group outing with our drum students and Drum Pass Members. This June, we were thrilled to experience the amazing taiko spectacle "Hinotori - The Wings of Phoenix" by the acclaimed drumming group Yamato from Japan.
A Spectacular Show
As we settled into our seats, the curtain rose and we experienced 90 minutes of flawless drumming, superb choreography, and superhuman energy. Training to perform at this level demands immense dedication, strength, and stamina. We were in awe of the remarkable skill and musicality displayed by the ten men and women on stage.
This marked Yamato's first return to London since before the pandemic, and they were celebrating their 30th anniversary of performing and touring the world.
The show was not just a feast for the ears and eyes but also had its share of humour and audience participation. The musical interplay between the drummers was cleverly arranged and the way they moved around the stage was superbly choreographed.
Highlights included a drum battle where performers tried to outdo each other with increasingly larger and louder drums, culminating in a spectacular set-piece performance that had the whole audience laughing and cheering.
Immense Drums
Among the impressive array of drums, the giant (2 meter diameter!) odaiko was undoubtedly the star of the show.
Crafted from a 400-year-old tree and weighing half a tonne, its deep, powerful voice is incredibly versatile.
A gentle strike produces a distant, ethereal rumble of thunder, while a forceful hit generates a formidable power that resonates through the entire audience into the walls of the theatre.
Hinotori - The Wings of Phoenix is a breathtaking display of rhythm, movement, and raw power. Yamato's performance was more than just a concert - it was a dynamic, immersive experience showcasing the immense artistry of taiko drumming.
More info
The show runs at The Peacock Theatre (part of Sadler's Wells) in London until the 22nd of June. We unanimously agreed that it was outstanding and highly recommend it to drummers and anyone with an appreciation for drumming.
Visit the Sadlers Wells website for more details (link opens in a new tab)
Following on...
Our next event is the Drums of the World workshop, where we'll draw inspiration from the taiko performance and try out some of the rhythms ourselves. Don't worry, you don't need the same level of athleticism displayed by the drummers of Yamato to join in! While we may not have a half-tonne odaiko drum, we'll make the most of the hand drums we do have!
Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a memorable night out. Please keep the suggestions flowing for future events, drum-related outings and group drumming activities we can do together in London.
If you're a drumming event organiser and want to find out if learners from Elephant Drums might like to attend, you're welcome to get in touch via our "Contact Us" page. If your event is suitable we can discuss bringing a group of drummers along.
About Elephant Drums
Drum Lessons in London
Elephant Drums is London's independent collective of drum teachers.
For information about drum lessons, workshops and events visit www.elephantdrums.co.uk/drum-tuition/
