Saturday 3rd October brings round two for my visits to The Warehouse Project this season. Tonight’s line-up features two of the scenes heavy hitters – Simian Mobile Disco and Boys Noize. Those who’ve been lucky enough to see Simian Mobile Disco play live know that their shows are like no other, it’s safe to say I am just a little bit excited to see their infamous ‘Rave Stack’ get another outing. The same goes for Boys Noize, I looked on in awe last year as Alex Ridha well and truly smashed this very venue to pieces with his headline set in mid-December. Other artists on the bill tonight: Berlin based DJ/producer Jesse Rose, hometown lads Delphic, Optimo, Now Wave DJ’s, Young Father’s and The Rapture’s Mattie Safer.

As I wander around the venue tonight it’s noticeably quieter than last weekend, that’s understandable though I suppose – the opening weekend is bound to be busier. Now Wave DJ’s are on stage prepping the crowd for SMD, the music isn’t to my taste but the people at the front seem to be enjoying it. At about 12:15 they finish their set and the house lights come up – SMD were billed to be on at 12:00 but it seems they have been pushed back to start at 12:30. As their stage time approaches roars go up amongst the crowd as MGMT’s ‘Kids’ Soulwax Remix kicks in over the sound system – I don’t know whether it’s a coincidence or they are really trying to get everyone well and truly pumped up. Suddenly the music cuts and the lights go down. Smoke fills the stage and an ever so quiet 4/4 pumping bass drum can be heard , James and Jas take to the stage and assume their positions behind an array of keyboards, synths, pads and buttons to the familiar sounds of ‘Sleep Deprivation’ – the ultimate opening track I have always thought. Slowly building, revving the crowd up to a crescendo of sirens over the steady, pumping beat. It’s almost tribal, the green lights filtering through the smoke create a dark, hazy, underground atmosphere. The only way to truly describe it was similar to a rocket taking off, plumes of smoke filling the stage while the lights change blue to red to green to white – the anticipation and excitement in the room are palpable.The light show is like something from outer space, they run perfectly in sync with the music creating a hypnotic effect.

With the tracks flowing right into the next and live remixes of many of their tracks, it becomes difficult to pinpoint exactly which tracks are performed. The familiar techno beat of ‘Synthesise’ comes in, a perfect tune for somewhere like The Warehouse, dark and dirty – it seems to be just what the crowd want to hear as everyone surges forward in a bid to get closer to the two dark silhouettes onstage. ‘Audacity of Huge’ and ‘Cruel Intentions’ are two songs of the new album that have a more poppy, housier feel and tonight they certainly get the crowd dancing. The latter of the two sparks an actual dance-off next to me between two girls, something I’ve never seen at The Warehouse Project and something I’m sure I won’t see again!

An SMD show wouldn’t be complete without a performance of their single “Hustler.” “Go to a record store and put it in my clothes and Walk past that record man Got to have the sticky hands” – the vocals spark a mass sing along, looping over and over, by the looks of it I doubt some of the people here can take it any longer, luckily the beat drops and every single person in the place loses their mind.

The roof has been well and truly taken off, SMD’s live show is so much more engaging and apt for a venue like The Warehouse, the lightshow is literally out of this world.James and Jas know just how to work a crowd, leaving you hanging on a looping note just long enough before dropping a bomb that’ll keep your head nodding long into the taxi ride home.

Unfortunately, the mass surge during ‘Synthesise’ caused my brand new camera to be crushed into little pieces, thus meaning my night had to be cut short. One of my main intentions tonight was to get some quality shots of the lights show so everyone reading this could get a taste of what it’s like. Apologies for that and apologies to Boys Noize & Jesse Rose who I was dying to catch after SMD.

Once again The Warehouse didn’t disappoint and I STRONGLY suggest you get out and see Simian on their short UK tour. They’re touring the UK until 10th October with their live show, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks for reading, until next time………