With no signs of holding back, the Chemical Brothers deliver the goods to a hot and humid Sydney
It was a balmy 34deg out at Sydney’s Olympic Park when The Chemical Brothers came to town. The crowd embraced the heat, weighing up which was the shortest bar queue and finding areas where the aircon could be felt delivering intermittent blasts cool air. Some reliving past memories, some probably seeing them live for the very first time – all busting shapes and enjoying the experience.
With a 30 year back catalogue to reach into and collaborations with legends such as Beth Orton and Noel Gallagher, it was unsurprising to hear people stood talking in groups about the first time they saw them supporting The Prodigy or at Sheffield’s Gatecrasher – arguably the home of UK house music.
With no signs of sequins, pastel tones and friendship bracelets (we love you, Taylor!!), The Showgrounds was awash with floral shirts, t-shirts, ‘wife pleasers’ on old geezers, there was white hair, no hair, pink hair and space buns. New fans, hardcore fans – the evening was about thrills, pills and red bull spills!
Taking to the stage bang on 9pm, opening with ‘Go’, the iconic British duo came armed with their captivating, quirky backing visuals and lasers timed perfectly with each beat and new mix while the bass vibrated through the floor creating quite an immersive experience.
As the floor filled with empty drink cans, the air filled with flailing arms and a trail of iphone torch lit glowing water bottles guiding friends back to friends after bathroom breaks. We heard the big beat, Neon Marching band sounds of ‘No Reason’ mixing into the unmistakeable ‘Hey Boy, Hey Girl’, received with screams of awe with the crowd bouncing as one they were so closely packed together. ‘Eve of Destruction’ followed, with visuals of song co-writer Aurora looking like a modern day Moon Child from NeverEnding Story.
Don’t hold back! With ‘Galvanise’ and ‘Block rockin’ Beats’, there wasn’t a still body in The Showgrounds, with people dancing all the way back to the Taco food truck in the chillout room. Finishing with 1997’s ‘The Private Psychadelic Reel’, the session came to a ceremonious and sweaty conclusion, the crowd no doubt heading home with big smiles and tingling ear drums, googling which spas have massage appointments the next days to sooth those dancing muscles. Raving – it’s a different fitness!
The Chemical Brothers are supported by the stylings of Leeds (UK) ‘Back to Basics’ resident DJ James Holroyd, Festival favourite DJ Anna Lunoe and Aussie Electro duo The Presets. Catch them if you can.
Photos by Sergio Martin
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