What are Nordic Giants?

The anonymous instrumental duo blur the line between music and art, their performance accompanied by a series of short films.

On record, their musical talent is clear. The multi-instrumentalists, one playing keyboards and trumpet and the other drums and guitar, create enchanting post-rock sounds.

Live, their fantastical feathered stage costumes added to the air of mystery surrounding the pair.

And in their gentler and more suspenseful moments, when the piano or synth melodies were allowed to shine through, their music was very enjoyable.

But their talent was overshadowed by an exhausting and unrelentingly dark video backdrop, which could feel at odds with the music.

Death, destruction, dystopian visions – these were just a few of the themes playing onscreen behind them, even when their music took on a cheerier, major tone.

The use of video had the potential to complement the music, but the short films were so complex that the best of their music risked passing the audience by.

They were supported by athousandfirs and Foreign Skin, the latter an electronic producer with a unique sound and a stylish performance.

It was an interesting evening, but could have benefited from a little more direction and a little less morbidity.

Three stars