This video features a 34-minute, improvised live set by musician and beatboxer Beardyman, who constructs a dynamic electronic music performance entirely from his own voice. Using a complex custom rig of touchscreens and software he calls the "Beardytron 7000 X pro mark iii turbo," he live-samples, loops, and processes his vocalizations to create multi-layered tracks. The set primarily revolves around various sub-genres of Drum and Bass but fluidly transitions into an atmospheric ambient section and a driving hard techno beat. The performance is a showcase of immense technical skill and raw creativity, interspersed with Beardyman's signature unfiltered humor, direct interaction with his online audience, and a candid appeal for support in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on live performers.
Beardyman's Live Vocal DnB Masterclass: Key Moments
0:00 - Instant Immersion: The set begins immediately with Beardyman building a high-energy Drum and Bass track from scratch, layering beatboxing, bass sounds, and synth-like effects using only his voice and live processing rig.
4:04 - A "Sick" Introduction: After an explosive first track, he breaks character to interact with the audience, humorously explaining the premise: it's all live, all from his voice, and entirely improvised, before joking, "That's your mom's favorite song."
4:28 - Liquid DnB & Melodic Flow: He seamlessly shifts into a smoother, more melodic "liquid" Drum and Bass style, demonstrating his genre versatility by creating lush chords and flowing basslines.
10:44 - The "Junglist Seizure": He builds a track to such a frenetic pace that he abruptly stops it, joking that it was "too hardcore" and he was about to have a "junglist seizure," showcasing the raw, untamed energy of his performance.
14:21 - A Candid Appeal for Support: In a moment of sincerity, Beardyman explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his livelihood and asks viewers to support him on Patreon to help him continue creating music with his advanced setup.
18:51 - Improvised Ambient Soundscape: While making technical adjustments to his audio levels, he effortlessly creates a complex and beautiful ambient track, highlighting his ability to improvise across completely different moods and genres on the fly.
22:55 - From Nonsense to Hard Techno: In a prime example of his creative process, he transforms nonsensical vocalizations ("Ooba dooba ding dong, flibby dibby dibby doo!") into the foundation for a driving, four-on-the-floor techno beat.
28:20 - Building a Vocal Anthem: He constructs a new track centered around the melodic vocal phrase "I wanna take you by your hands," demonstrating how he builds entire song structures, including hooks, live on stage.
33:31 - An Unconventional Outro: The set concludes as it was performed—with unfiltered humor, as he signs off with the line "having sex with your mum" over the final fading beat.