Live Reviews
July 2009
Beatmag webmaster, boozehound & questionable disc-jockey, Tim Gomersall, takes us through a night playing alongside the big boys (and girls) in London town…
Firstly, a confession. By the end of this gig I was rather plastered. In fact, I was so inebriated that the fact that i actually saw the last band only came back to me a few days later. Anyhow, I will try my best to fill in the blanks, and provide a balanced review of the night. And if there are any glaring holes in my memory, then I will fill them up with sparkles of imagination.
‘This Is Music’ manage to pull of some pretty special line-ups, and this was far from the exception to the rule. Originally billed as a ‘Secret Headliner’ gig, the info that Felix from Basement Jaxx was playing was released only 5 days before the night. And judging by the massive one-in-one-out queue, that was growing rapidly by 10pm, word had spread pretty fast. Also on the line-up were dj’s Firas, Flexmaster Nylon (that’s me by the way), and Gabriel from Metronomy. And on the live stage were electro-pop-rockers, Crystal Fighters and all-girl hip hop crew, Yo Majesty.
Crystal Fighters were the first live band on, and they lit up the stage with a barrage of high energy electro pop. The lead singer leapt around and bawled out lyrics with Jim Morrison-esque vivacity, while 2 guys pumped out the sounds from what appeared to be suitcases full of bleeps and lasers. I know from experience that taking an electronic band to the stage can be a difficult task. When you don’t have a drum kit and conventional instruments, then it takes some innovation and stage presence to rock a crowd, but Crystal Fighters did this with ease, and roused up a storm with a lively sweaty show.
It was probable that the majority of the crowd had come along to see the secret headliner dj, Felix of Basement Jaxx. This was apparent from the torrent of fans wanting to shake his hand and show some love. I’ll add at this point that my memories start to get a little fuzzy. I’m pretty sure somebody spiked my healthy glass of cranberry juice with a large plop of vodka and being an ardent non-drinker (hic) this sent me a little sideways. I got a little obsessed with Felix’s jacket that looked furry, but wasn’t. It was amazing. But stroking a celebrity when you have just met them surely isn’t the ‘done’ thing, so lets pretend I made that bit up from my imaginary memories. Oh yeah, the music. Ive not been to a ‘Rooty’ night before (that is Basement Jaxx’s’ club night), or seen them dj, but I’d heard that they put on a mean party. Unlike Basement Jaxx’s own music, Felix played a less commercial set of electro and dubstep. I think. I cant really remember too well. But I remember hearing some amazing tunes and a dj maestro at work. He seamlessly threaded tracks together and relentlessly kept the dancers on their toes.
Now, the Yo Majesty set really is a little on the hazy side of my recollection. I’m pretty sure one of them had their tits out. I know it sounds like I’m making this bit up, but no, really. She did. I’ve asked one of the promoters since, and it turns out it’s part of their stage show. Yo Majesty are a scary band. They are aggressive, loud and make you feel slightly on edge. But I get the impression that this is part of their feminist stance. They are all openly lesbian, and their lyrics and stage show depicts an antagonism towards conventional male hip hop sensibilities. They talk about girls in the same way male chauvinistic hip hop might, but from the point of view of a girl. It may be a little uncomfortable to listen to, but then that’s what hip hop is about, challenging popular view and exposing the wrongs of our society. These girls are hard, like public enemy, and their heavy electro hip hop sound made the place feel like a block party.
After this, I have very small nuggets of memory left to write from. I don’t remember leaving. I don’t remember if anyone else played afterwards (I presume Gabriel from Metronomy did). And I don’t remember how I got home. But I do remember the police arresting a guy that I’d befriended on the street, and who was trying to steal my record bag…
by Tim Gomersall
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