Hot Chip and Rosie Lowe
They may have been around for almost two decades, and may not have visited Norwich for a while but, judging by tonight's show, Hot Chip have certainly not gone off the boil.
Correct me if I am wrong, but according to my records this is the first time Hot Chip have played the Nick Rayns LCR in Norwich since 2010 – that's nine years, and four albums ago. In fact, the last time they played round these parts was Latitude, six summers ago. Which might explain why, when I arrive at the venue fifteen minutes before doors are due to open, only a modest queue has assembled outside. Compare that to April of this year when I came to see grime artist Dave. On that night the line was snaking back past the Drama Studio, down Waveney Road and doubling back towards the halls of residence.
And the demograph tonight is decidedly different. This is a slightly older crowd - they line up in an orderly manner, they chat to each other in the queue, and they appear not to have not pre-loaded with alcohol before arriving. No, these people are happy to pay £26.50 for a ticket and still buy several rounds at the bar.
All of which means that some of tonight's audience are still arriving as support act Rosie Lowe and her band begin their slot. It is Rosie's second Norwich gig in seven days, having headlined the Wild Paths pre-show party at Norwich Arts Centre the previous Thursday. This is a bigger venue and a bigger crowd, but the audience at the Arts Centre was a lot more attentive. Which is a real shame as Rosie possesses one of those brooding neo-soul voices with a richness and intensity that you really should want to immerse yourself in.
Hot Chip's equipment makes full use of the wide stage – a line of synths at the front is augmented up by drumkit and percussion, and yet more synths, at the back. A spoken countdown, and a drumbeat that oldies will recognise from Cozy Powell's Dance With The Devil, heralds the band's arrival on stage. And as soon as they kick into opening number Huarache Lights (from 2015's Why Make Sense) the audience are on side. When they follow it with One Life Stand and Night and Day, both from earlier albums, the floor becomes a sea of waving arms and rocking bodies. The stage lighting alternates between rich pastels and primary silhouettes, and frequent strobing adds to the air of freneticism.
A Bath Full of Ecstasy, the new album, is perhaps less dependent on the band's trademark pulsating beat and the title track, being more layered and melodic, gives the crowd a rare chances during the evening in which to catch a breath. Other new tracks, including the sparkly Melody of Love, are similarly woven into the running order to give the evening a cleverly orchestrated pace and structure.
The biggest reactions are saved for hits like Over And Over and Ready For The Floor, and as we are carried along on this electronic express train of beats it is difficult to believe that, during their nineteen year career, Hot Chip have only had three top 40 hits. Not that any of us care – lead vocalist Alexis Taylor (in a psychedelic day-glo outfit that Timmy Mallett would die for) and Joe Goddard (in a more muted blue boiler suit) by now have us in the palm of their hands, whilst Owen Clarke (white and pastel suit) is dancing around with the energy of a Duracell bunny.
The encore is delayed slightly whilst sound engineers shine torches and tinker with Clarke's keyboard, but then we are treated to another two songs, which are sandwiched between the most explosive and exciting cover of Beastie Boys' Sabotage that you are ever likely to hear.
They may have been around for almost two decades, and may not have visited Norwich for a while but, judging by tonight's show, Hot Chip have certainly not gone off the boil.
