★★★★

AS AN increasing number of fictionalised characters move away from claiming Baftas and towards dropping beats, it seems only logical that Peep Show’s Super Hans should come alive to blast his own bombastic mixes. Hans, who was most succinctly described by one of his closest friends as a “crackaddled maniac”, performed at the Concorde 2.

But what to expect in a DJ set from a man who legally changed his middle name to Big Beats by deed poll?

Taking to the stage in his trademark faux fur and eyeliner, Hans quickly recapped his musical manifesto to the chanting and jostling crowd. “The Big Beats Manifesto” he said, “states in no uncertain terms, that big beats, are BEST.”

He proceeded to demonstrate why, delivering a high intensity melee of classic tunes reworked to a house template. Navigating from Snap through Bowie and into New Order within the first 20 minutes, he commanded full enthusiasm from the crowd. That said, Hans’ actual part in the mixing appeared primarily cosmetic, with all the heavy lifting subcontracted to his supporting cast. The leading man preferred to strut up and down the stage, singing along and hyping the crowd.

Hans taking to an electric guitar and treating the crowd to a raspy, bum note-filled version of the Stone Roses’ Fools Gold proved a mid-set highlight.

Elsewhere, original material from the short-lived band Man Feelings was aired, providing a biting social commentary on unemployed life in Croydon. “I am in loco parentis. I am the last remaining contestant on The Apprentice. I am a home-trained dentist.”

Fun, wacky and razor sharp, Hans didn’t disappoint his adoring audience. I’m sure we can expect even bigger beats in the future.

Charles Cook