I’ve been following HOT CHIP since their so-so first album Coming on Strong. Although that album showed potential, they really hit their stride on 2006’s The Warning. Featuring instant dance classics “Over and Over” and “And I Was a Boy from School”, the album established the group as first-rate electro-popsters. Fortunately, this year’s Made in the Dark equals or even betters it, but to tell the truth, neither album prepared me for the truly unexpected greatness that is Hot Chip live.
Sure the setlist was quite similar to the previous shows on the tour, opening with the new album’s “Shake a Fist”. They proceeded to play most of Made in the Dark, with highlights including “Bendable Posable,” “One Pure Thought” and of course the unstoppable “Ready for the Floor”. The Warning was represented by its two big singles, of course, and they even threw in “Crap Kraft Dinner” from Coming on Strong. Still, this wasn’t even about what songs they played. Sure, it doesn’t hurt that they have first-rate material, but again, they transcended all of that. What it was really about, instead, was the feeling and the vibe that they gave off along with their tightness and professionalism. Simply put, it was like watching an older, more experienced electronic outfit like PET SHOP BOYS who know how to put on a big arena type of show, except that this was in a relatively small club and the crowd was considerably younger and there to dance! And dance they did, as the show just felt like one big, hour and a half long dance party. I didn’t even mind the crowdedness on the main floor as the feeling was infectious. Couples were making out all around me, but instead of annoying me, it just added to the joyful experience of this evening.
Simply put, everything about this show was perfect. If you’ve never seen Hot Chip live, don’t hesitate! They put on the best show I’ve seen all year.
I know very little about openers FREE BLOOD except that they’re a male-female duo who feature a former member of !!! and that their set of shouting over noisy dance beats felt forced and consequently wasn’t that memorable. Oh well.
The photo above is from “the flickr account of jelloinmybathtub” and is used with permission.
