Chemical Brothers Blackpool Empress Ballroom 09.12.2016

Chemical Brothers Blackpool Empress Ballroom

09.12.2016

 

Last year I bought a ticket to see these #SuperstarDJs in Manchester it turned out they were only going on stage at 2am I wasn't prepared to stay over for December fees in hotels , so I made the difficult decision not to go, I was gutted.

 

 

I felt better with the fact I'd only be missing 1 DJ as Ed had gone off the scene a year to take his masters degree in psychology, this year came the news that 'Chemical Brothers' were back on the road and doing a date in Blackpool so this time I was ready.

 

 

I arrive in Blackpool a place I visit a lot with intrepidation, I'm ready to book into my hotel which is right behind the 'Winter Gardens' with 2 hours to get ready for 6pm, no queuing required .

 

 

As I walk in to the venue I notice the décor and flashback to when I was last here I've crossed my own path 20 years ago , it felt surreal, there is a DJ on stage already,theres about 5 of us on the barrier,everyone else is at the bar.

 

 

The Atmosphere is building up, more people arrive its getting busy , the banter on the front row is fun and we are buzzing, one guy is doing the whole tour he's seen the Bro's more time's than I've seen 'Muse' !!.

 

 

 

Myself I've seen them twice 1st time in '1995' for 'Exit Planet Dust' Tour and again for 'Push The Button' Tour in 2005 in 'Manchester', yes they really have been going that long !!!

 

 

I was kind of introduced to 'The Bro's DJ Mixes and Collaborations by 'Tim' of 'The Charlatans' whom incidentally speaking I seen live in this very venue when I was a teenager.

 

 

 They worked on mixes on 'The Charlatans'  singles and also on  similar projects with  'Primal Scream', 'Manic Street Preachers', 'Saint Etienne' they even mixed for 'Kylie Minogue' in 2003 on her no1 single Slow.

 

 

 

Much respected by many musicians and other DJ Tom they started life as drummer in 'Ariel' ,  Met Ed and then formed 'The Dust Brothers' (Having to change their name due to an American act of the same name) so it was then that 'Chemical Brothers' was truly born.

 

 

So on with the show ...lights are down now and green lasers, with their prisms of light beam pulsatingly over the stage and over our heads, the 2 guys Tom and Ed are now behind their monster DJ Deck Control area which is in darkness until 'Hey Boy Hey Girl' begins .

 

 

 

Everyone starts dancing and moving behind us and on the front we are going for it, I've been told tonight's setlist is the best we'll hear!! and it seems it is !!

 

 

As 'Chemical Beats' come's in over the fade of 'Sometimes I Feel So Deserted' the 'Old Skool' is in the house taking it to another level and lifting the crowd like a wave , with large screens showing Clowns, and actors in video visuals its a visual treat, but you aint seen nothing yet !!!

 

 

 

 

 

Just warming up.... 'Do It Again' gets everyone in a frenzy 'Star Guitar' mellows us out for a time, its like a washing machine cycle the way they work the crowd 'Start, Spin , Rinse-Repeat'.

 

 

The lighting effects and lasers are so impressive it feels like we are part of those well put together TV Highlights Show's you normally see on 'Glastonbury' but you're right in the moment its there happening right in front of you, your eyes wide with excitement like a kid in a fairground for the first time.

 

 

 

They've brought everything to the small venue, they are used to playing to Tens of thousands of people in one night at outdoor dance festivals.

 

 

 

The theme changes now to tracks from the 3rd album 'Come With Us' and the 2nd album 'Digging Your Own Hole' and 'Out Of Control' ( Bobby Gillespie on vocals), and even a storming version of 'New Order's Temptation a bit of 'Setting Sun' (Noel Gallagher on vocals).

 

 

 

Tracks are flying by so fast tonight that I can hardly catch a breath,Almost encore time more from albums 'Come With Us' and 'Surrender' including 'The Test' (Richard Ashcroft on Vocals)

 

 

 

Then came the Fantastic crazy violin madness of 'Galvanize' and 'Under the Influence' it's at this time the 2 Huge Red & Blue Robots appear either side of the stage with their flashing eyes and flashing lasers and animated special fx on their fronts.

 

 

It was awesome to witness ..they started small and gradually grew to 20ft tall their legs springing up it was spectacular my favourite bit in the whole show.

 

 

 

The Bro's then went on to mix 'Song To The Siren' and 'Leave Home' both from 'Exit Planet Dust' as if that hadn't sent anyone delirious by now.. they hit us with 'Block Rockin Beats'.

 

 

Lights go down again and a visual screen backdrop of Medieval and Religious imagery and emerge like stained glass windows behind them 'Tom & Ed' are just black shadows on stage now as 'Private Psychedelic Reel' closes the set.

 

 

 

 

When it eventually comes to the end of their marathon 2 hour set they both come over to the edge of the stage and reach out in a brotherly grasp of appreciation and clap and bow at the crowd, wave and then they were gone what a journey, what an awesome night, I'm sweated out from dancing.

 

 

 

 

 

I manage to catch up with 'Ed'  a few hours after the set and I get a chance to tell him I've liked 'The Bro's' Mixes since 1995 and have all the 'Ariel' and Early 12" release's he seems impressed but there's not much time to chat as he's got a lift waiting to whisk them to London just time for a quick photo.

 

 

 

 I went back to my hotel my ears still ringing realising a 20 year dream of  a Bro's meet up, Rave up and now I'm over and out !! 

 

 

Next Blog ...

 

'Christmas Is Coming To ...London...! 

 

 

Lmi xo