November 15 became a landmark evening in Tbilisi’s experimental music calendar, as Mutant Radio and the Goethe-Institut Georgien joined forces to deliver a captivating trifecta of live performances. With Scott McCulloch, Baal & Mortimer, and Vladimir Ivkovic at the helm, the night pushed the boundaries of sound and storytelling.
Scott McCulloch: Turning Noise into Narrative
Scott McCulloch’s name is synonymous with sonic storytelling, and his performance didn’t disappoint. Known for his work with Christian Love Forum and Крот, as well as his 2023 album A Round of Drinks (Live Adult Entertainment), McCulloch brought an otherworldly blend of spoken word, experimental soundscapes, and raw emotion.
Against a backdrop of ambient textures and deliberate dissonance, McCulloch delivered a set that felt like an auditory novel, each track unfolding like a chapter. His Tbilisi-inspired creative evolution added a local resonance to his globally recognized craft. McCulloch’s ability to bridge the personal with the universal captivated the audience, making his set both intimate and monumental.
Baal & Mortimer: Synthesizing the Sacred and the Strange
When Berlin-based Alexandra Gruebler, performing as Baal & Mortimer, took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. Her sound, an intoxicating fusion of vocals, spoken word, and synth, enveloped the room. Drawing heavily from her latest work, The Fifth Jar (2024), and earlier album Deixis (2020), Baal & Mortimer explored themes of alchemy and autonomy with haunting precision.
Her performance was less about spectacle and more about immersion. The deliberate interplay of her ethereal voice with intricate synth patterns created a sonic alchemy that blurred the line between human and machine. Gruebler’s command over her craft was evident in the room’s silence, broken only by the crescendo of her melodies.
Vladimir Ivkovic: Master of the Eclectic Unknown
Vladimir Ivkovic’s set was nothing short of an auditory odyssey. The Serbian-born DJ, founder of Offen Music, and master of the unpredictable, closed the night with a set that defied expectations. Seamlessly blending Serbian experimental music, ambient synth-pop, and rare psychedelia, Ivkovic created a soundscape that was both disorienting and entrancing.
Known for challenging his audience, Ivkovic didn’t simply play music; he curated an experience. His ability to juxtapose deep, dark rhythms with fleeting moments of lightness created a tension that kept the crowd on edge, waiting for what would come next.
The Mutant Radio Effect: Tbilisi as a Cultural Vanguard
This wasn’t just an evening of music; it was a statement about Tbilisi’s evolving role as a hub for experimental art. Mutant Radio, a cornerstone of the city’s creative scene, paired with the Goethe-Institut to bring together global and local talent in a way that felt fresh and essential.
The evening’s lineup reflected a thoughtful curation that appealed to seasoned audiophiles and curious newcomers alike. By weaving together McCulloch’s narrative depth, Baal & Mortimer’s ethereal explorations, and Ivkovic’s chaotic brilliance, the event encapsulated the limitless possibilities of experimental sound.
Tbilisi is fast becoming a meeting point for international creatives, and events like this underscore its growing reputation. Mutant Radio’s dedication to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and experimental artistry makes it a beacon in the city’s cultural landscape.
By Ivan Nechaev
