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Soulwax...
review There’s a slight air of confusion and anticipation at the Concorde tonight as techno-punk stalwarts Soulwax roll in, thereby doubling the quota of famous Belgians anyone can name. Are they playing a Too Many DJs set, or is it just going to be that funny little indie thing they also do?Before we find out, support group Hot Chip line themselves up behind an unbroken row of synths, mixing machines and a guitar that gradually makes its way down the line-up and back again. Hunched over their equipment they twiddle knobs and bang out a series of electronic squeaks, rinky-dink keyboards and danceable bass lines for half an hour. It’s quite jolly. But the singer must’ve been boiling in his puffa jacket! Soulwax is definitely a group of three halves. The first comprises an indie band that released a couple of albums which generated a modicum of interest amongst the more continental-leaning indie types. But it was their second 2 Many DJs collaboration, in which they pioneered the unlikely splicing of rock classics and break beats (Dolly Parton mixed with Destiny’s Child, anyone?), that placed them instantly amongst the cool set. Their third and current guise finds the first band riding on the back of this reputation, attempting to retain this new-found audience by fusing their traditional indie sound to the beats and breaks that made 2 Many DJs so popular. Soulwax is definitely a So have they upped their game live? Sort of. They’re not overly remarkable to listen to, and bands like The Killers have stolen what thunder there may have been about. Their set follows a pattern of chunky, thrash-lite, guitar riffs that collide with a backing of more danceable numanoid synthesised sound and squelchy break beats to produce an indie/dance combination. Visually, however, they are quite arresting. Running with the optical illusion theme from their recent releases, the stage and equipment are decked out in eye-straining black and white stripes. Clad in black, the band is illuminated only by stark white light - the monochrome set alternating between total darkness and blinding white. ‘Conversation Intercom’ and ‘Too Many DJs’ are relics from their pre-DJ days; they get cheers, but don’t sound wholly different from the majority of stuff taken from latest release ‘Any Minute Now’. They seem to concentrate mainly on the more rock-based stuff than the more overtly dancey tracks. Having said that, a riff from recent Alter Ego hit ‘Rocker’ creeps in occasionally, and the encore of club smash ‘New York Excuse’ is recognised by the audience after only a couple of bars. It’s the highlight of the evening. It’s a fine line keeping both indie kids and dance kids happy. But if they can come up with more stuff like that they’re onto a winner.
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