Experience the enchanting performance of Sega Bodega at SXSW London, where ambient sounds and mesmerizing lights created an unforgettable night.
The late-night crowd at SXSW London on Tuesday was in for a treat, as the weary but devoted attendees were rewarded with an extraordinary ambient performance by Sega Bodega. The Irish-Chilean producer, whose real name is Salvador Navarretetook the stage at Christ Church Spitalfields to deliver a live set that was nothing short of magical.
Navarrete’s performance was a live rendition of songs from his 2026 album, I Created The Universe So That Life Could Create a Language So Complex, Just To Say How Much I Love Youalong with some cherished tracks from his back catalogue.
The stage was set for an evening of sonic and visual delight.
An Ambient Feast for the Senses
Seated cross-legged on the low-level stage, Navarrete began his performance, creating gentle sounds that harmonized with elaborate lighting displays and smoke shows.
The atmosphere was reminiscent of a mage at work in his apothecary, with distorted guitars, warped vocals, and stripped-back drum work. The spatial audio filled the room with sounds that evoked insects and dripping water, creating an immersive experience.
Musical Guests and Showstoppers
The evening was graced by the presence of several musical guests who appeared like woodland creatures in the room. Mayah Alkhaterian Emirati-Egyptian musician, emerged to sing the haunting Arabic lyrics of Tab Laiha track that evoked the passage of time. Later, flautist Ludo joined the stage for a rendition of Deer Teethadding an emotional apex to an already deeply moving set.
But the real showstopper was when a spotlight hit Kikiian Egyptian-Iranian singer, who crooned below the gilded pipes of the organ. The combination of her voice and the ambient sounds created a moment of pure magic.
The Art of Lighting
The lighting work, courtesy of Shaun Murphywas amongst the best seen. It ranged from Squidsoup-esque stringed orbs above the stage to mirror ball-effect strobes that hit Navarrete’s back like daggers and swirled in front of him. The lights enhanced the overall experience, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.
Watching Sega Bodega that night felt like stepping back in time to the ambient performances of Four Tet before he became a dance music messiah. Perhaps we have a successor on our hands, someone who can captivate an audience with the power of ambient sound and mesmerizing visuals.
