The band that mastered the art of the 'impossible' live sound

Art · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Black Midi didn't just play music; they engineered sonic complexity. By blending math rock, avant-jazz, and post-punk, they aimed to create sounds that were technically impossible to perform live. Their journey from London's underground scene to international acclaim highlights a restless pursuit of artistic expansion.

Formed in 2017 by Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton, and Morgan Simpson, Black Midi emerged from the London 'Windmill' scene. While their name pays homage to the Japanese electronic genre black MIDI, their actual output is a sprawling tapestry of experimental rock and avant-prog. The band's trajectory was marked by rapid evolution, moving from their debut single 'bmbmbm' in 2018 to a critically acclaimed 2019 debut album, Schlagenheim. Produced by Dan Carey, the album was a deliberate departure from their live energy, incorporating synthesizers, banjos, and accordions to achieve textures the band felt were 'impossible to do live.'

The group's rise was punctuated by high-profile milestones, including a 2019 Mercury Prize nomination and a breakout performance in Reykjavík, Iceland, which introduced their eccentric style to a global audience. Despite their growth, the band faced internal challenges, notably the 2021 hiatus of founding member Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin for mental health reasons. This led to a shift in lineup and sound, culminating in the 2022 album Hellfire, which reached a career-high UK chart position of No. 22 and their first US chart entry.

In August 2024, the band entered an indefinite hiatus. The split was marked by a blunt public declaration from Greep that the band was 'over,' despite management's initial attempts to frame it as a temporary break. The members have since pivoted to diverse solo projects: Greep released The New Sound, Picton formed My New Band Believe, and Simpson began collaborating with jazz musicians and rappers. The era concludes with the tragic news that Kwasniewski-Kelvin passed away in January 2026 at the age of 26.

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