Concorde2, 23rd April
Belgian super-producers Soulwax were in town promoting a new DVD and showcasing their versatility as performers and DJs. As a four-piece band, they would tonight spin through ‘Nite Versions’, an alternative club version of their ‘Any Minute Now’ album, and to finish up, Soulwax brothers David and Stephen Dewaele would man the decks and perform an arsenal of artist remixes.
Starting with a loop from new DVD ‘Part of the Weekend Never Dies’, the band, who were clothed in rather dapper tuxedos, hung back for a while before laying down a heavy bassline that whipped the crowd into action. At a moment’s notice, this dropped into the main riff of ‘E-Talking’, one of several teaser appearances throughout the show. While manning a sampler, Stephen occasionally switched instruments, including a ‘drum-off’ with main drummer Steve Slingeneyer, made all the more impressive by the clever stage lighting. Barely pausing for breath,
Soulwax tore through a blend of their electro, house and techno-infused tunes with the occasional sample of their remix work, including a track from Justice and Daft Punk’s ‘Robot Wars’. As quickly as they entered, Soulwax disappeared offstage leaving a gaggle of technicians to clear the stage while the Blah, Blah, Blah DJ’s kept the atmosphere alive and the crowd moving.
Soon enough they where back manning the decks as 2 Many DJs. Starting with the theme from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ they ploughed straight through ‘Intergalactic Planetary ‘and onto ‘Flawless’, whipping the crowd into a frenzy as they went. Undoubtedly, their remix of ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ got the biggest reaction of the evening as people, lost in the mass of smoke and strobe lighting, gleefully bounced and bashed into each other.
As prolific remixers of current artists, coupled with obvious talent as musicians and songwriters, Soulwax have an extensive catalogue of tricks with which to delight and surprise any crowd. Rarely has the Concorde2 been so hyped and full of atmosphere. This night had been talked about as Brighton’s gig of the year; two different Soulwax shows in three hours? Damn straight it was the gig of the year.
Words by Chris Leggett
Photos by Sam Hiscox
