Following the recent Live In The Lift for Franc Moody, Ja Humby's latest in his Molten Jets series is this one-of-a-kind doc and performance film for Shame. 

Live In The Flesh is another example of Humby combining a brilliantly captured live performance with a distinctive brand of comedy - this time focussing on the character of Chayse Bigwood, first time tour promoter who's capacity for ineptitude is in inverse proportion to the quality of the music.

This mockumentary takes us backstage before Shame's big London comeback gig at the Brixton Academyt, with virgin promoter Bigwood attempting to ingratiate himself with the band. The extend of the distastrous promotion becomes clear - no support acts, sparse audience of fleeced punters - while the band watch The Weakest Link before the show. Last-ditch attempts to hide the truth from the band precede what then transpires is a great show which, sadly, very few actually get to see live in the flesh. It's a sad story with powerful live music.    

In the manner of the previous Molten Jets shows, this half hour film feels incredibly intimate and authentic, due to the fly-on-the-wall cinematography and observational angles. The energy of the live performance spills over into something wonderfully transcendent and ethereal. DoP Claudiu Voicu balances the stripped-back, everyday colour palettes in the behind the scenes setups with the aspirational, neon washes of colour on-stage, creating a dynamic and engaging aesthetic. 

Meanwhile, Chayse Bigwood is now under police investigation for the fraudulent VIP hospitality package and his sideline in unofficial Shame merchandise - which is a bit problematic for Ja Humby. "Molten Jets’ affiliation with Bigwood’s elite fashion consultancy and holistic trending clinic - Hotbitz.biz - makes me a person of interest in the investigation," he admits.

"One thing I can do though is thank the amazing filmmaker Simon Halsall for his editing work on the performance bits. I’ve never worked with another editor on one of my own projects before, so it was refreshing to have more eyes on it. I probably butchered his work in my cut, but whatever, 'it’s rock n roll' as my old boss used to say."