Dhani Harrison’s headlining set at La Maroquinerie last night was a sonic deep dive into shadowy, cinematic terrain. Over the course of his two solo albums, IN///PARALLEL and Innerstandings, Harrison constructed an atmospheric, brooding wall of sound, performing both records in full like a man on a mission to make you forget daylight exists.
Musically, Harrison is very indebted to the 90's, with clear influences from Blur and Radiohead and even a hint of prog-rock. There were also flashes of The Prodigy’s chaotic energy, underscoring a performance that was equal parts head trip and headphone-worthy, with Harrison layering experimental soundscapes that could either give you an existential crisis or make you feel like you're floating in space, each track more immersive than the last.
Harrison himself kept things low-key, with his demeanor understated to the point of anonymity—he let the music do the talking, and it worked. The crowd stood transfixed as he pulled them through a maze of textured beats and expansive melodies. Mereki, who opened the night, returned to provide vocal counterpoints on several tracks, her voice seamlessly weaving into Harrison’s sonic world, adding an extra dimension to the mix.
It was a mesmerizing experience, with Harrison skillfully pushing the boundaries of his influences and presenting himself as a fully-realized artist, driving full throttle into his own musical future.
