Live

Basement Jaxx, Frankmusic, Africa Bambaata, Digitalism @Wireless Festival 2009

It is not for nothing that Basement Jaxx headlined Glastonbury in 2005 and you would have to go some way to better or even equal that performance. However, the fact that Day 1 of Wireless 2009 was somewhat lacklustre, meant that a good performance was even more vital.

THE OTHER ACTS:
Frankmusic, Africa Bambaata & Soulsonic Force, Digitalism

The first pop dance act we saw in one of the tents – had suffered with an aweful sound system and acoustical interference from the main stage. Electro-dance act Fischerspooner put on an artistic entertaining set in costume but seemed too sophisticated for the venue. They struggled to win over large sections who seemed more interested in discussing the price of beer (which was high) than the show. In the end they ran over time were abruptly cut by stage management. Africa Bambaata & Soulsonic Force were also less than convincing on the main stage indulging in far too much posing and posturing while entreating the crowd to join in some ridiculous chanting on the back of the recent Jackson tradegy. “When I say Michael, you say Jackson” etc. did really inspire any of us as a chant designed to get the crowd going, to stand and sway in remembrance of the great man . Other than Basement Jaxx, the only other memorable act of the day was Digitalism whose 40 minute set was inventive , atmospheric in the normal and substance sense and packed. If you had been able to fit any more people in, the tent would have probably started to move in rhythm. What we experienced was a throbbing seething mass and we were only at the periphery of the tent. Yet, apart this one highlight the day had been disappointing.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BASEMENT JAXX (Headliners)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, it was very much in downbeat mode that my party waited for Basement Jaxx to arrive and wow, was it worth the wait. In an absolutely enthralling set that barerly dropped below 5th gear , the Jaxx boys , Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe, treated an ecstatic crowd to classy tracks from their new album 'Scars' including the title track the very uplifting 'Raindrops' and 'Feelings Gone.'  There also included a track that morphed into Kings of Leon's 'Sex on Fire,' and then were classics thrown into the mix such as 'Oh My Gosh', 'Do Your Thang,' featuring extremely animated singers such as Jaxx regular Vula Malinga.

I have seldom witnessed a large scale open air concert with such a feelgood factor. Wherever you looked, you could only see people dancing with abandon. But don't take my word for it : the best witness to this event was my brother-in-law who doesn't go to gigs very often and said he never enjoyed himself so much in his life. When 'Where Your's Head At' came on, it was high fives all round in our little corner of the park. If you add in the costume changes, the spectacular light show with lasers towards the end of the show and the almost carneval atmosphere I could rate as one of my top ten favourites gig of all time.

The show suitably climaxed with 'Bingo-Bango,' which practically sent the crowd into orbit. On leaving the park after the show the atmospehere was absolutly buzzing. It will certainly be a very long time before I witness an open air concert of this quality again. Basement Jaxx not only saved the Wireless Festival but totally ran away with it.
Words DARREN LEWIS