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The Awards - The Gigs: Chase & Status
The second night of Q Awards With Russian Standard Vodka gigs got underway at Kentish Town Forum last night with Chase & Status causing a sea of arms to undulate in a frenzied drum'n'bass rave. An impressive lighting display and a number of guest appearances added to the energetic atmosphere as MC Rage bounced around the stage like a child on a sugar high.
The Awards - The Gigs: Chase & Status Photo Gallery
Saul Milton and Will Kennard inhabited opposite ends, behind a large neon red C and S respectively. Spelling out their intent to cause a riot too was the drum kit with a circular metal rail surrounding it which was coated in every type of crushing cymbal under the sun. To say these London producers were loud would be an understatement as ravers could literally feel the base rattle through them.
With a new album expected out in January next year fans were given a taste of what is to come. No Problem, a song revolving around a tongue-in-cheek reggae sample and a light touch of Afrobeat drumming before building into a fast paced rebellious crescendo, is greeted with youthful enthusiasm. Upcoming single Hypest Hype brings about the first guest appearance with London grime MC, Tempz providing his vocals as featured on the record to huge cheers. The beat, with its mixture of the high octane drum'n'bass pace and a half tempo dubstep switch hints that there will be more to be found on the new record than just the energetic release fans have already fallen in love with.
Another new moment is Blind Faith, a collaboration with Liam Bailey who was an earlier supporting act. Bailey's vocals take on an incredible power when driven by the aggressive Status signature sound. His introspective lyrics soar above the chaos with a fresh perspective. Upcoming guests on the new album also include the pioneering Dizzee Rascal and this year's runaway success Plan B on Heavy and End Credits respectively.
Heavy is the highlight of a great night, a track which does everything the title insinuates, similar to Dizzee's earlier success with Bonkers it relies on quick lyrics and a modern grime beat which could sit well with Boy In Da Corner fans. End Credits follows the Strickland Banks cinematic formula, keeping his new soulful persona at the center of the hook.
The best of More Than Alot also gets an airing with Eastern Jam provoking a strong reaction with it's juxtaposition of a fast BPM and the reliance on a dubstep wobble as well as the cutting of an oriental sample. Pieces and Against All Odds too threatened to take the roof off. What is great about this live show is how visual it is. Many dance music producers would be content to simply sit behind the decks and press play, but Chase & Status do truly put on a show. Both a drummer, guitarist and a whole host of MC's and vocalists make their way on and off the stage as the night progresses.
As the set comes to a close and the crowd expel what is left of their energy after bouncing constantly for the last hour, those who came leave with smiles on their faces having been happy to witness to a group whose new material is set to conquer the clubs and charts in 2011.
The Awards - The Gigs: Chase & Status Photo Gallery
Visit Chase & Status on myspace or their official website
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8:43 AM | 22/10/2010
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