Review: Basement Jaxx, supported by Master Shortie, O2 Academy, Newcastle

Apr 22 2009 by Ramsay Cudlipp, The Journal

THE dancing gorillas topped it off.

As Basement Jaxx stormed into Where’s Your Head At? during their finale at the O2 Academy on Monday, dancers in monkey suits bounded on stage and sent the crowd to fever pitch.

It was a high-octane performance from the masters of house music and the packed Academy hummed with the heavy basslines from hits such as Bingo Bango and Oh My Gosh.

Before they appeared on stage, a lengthy intro boomed out from the speakers, accompanied by hypnotic graphics on a huge screen. When the duo – Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe – finally appeared, they did not disappoint.

It was a frenetic opening and set the tone for a top show.

The intimate room suited the occasion, with everyone close enough to appreciate the many costume changes by the trio of female singers and the lively stage presence of more than 10 people.

Basement Jaxx may be a duo, but every live show feeds off the energy provided by their musicians, singers and dancers.

An acoustic rendition of Romeo was well received but a few seemed disappointed it did not develop into the more familiar album version.

Crowd-pleaser Jump ’n’ Shout and an interesting take on Three Times a Lady were served up as everyone enjoyed a group who deliver what their fans crave.

The venue had been warmed up by Master Shortie, who opened with a surprising but worthy twist on Adam and the Ants’ Prince Charming.