Unless you're a jobbing DJ or die-hard enthusiast you could be forgiven for thinking dance music had died on its all-too-bloated bottom in 2003.
But something was stirring in Europe - a scuzzy, uncompromising sound fusing Daft Punk's elementary future-funk, Soulwax's smash and grab electroclash and the punk-disco dynamics of New York stable DFA. Its premier exponents: Justice and Wednesday's Concorde 2 headliners: Digitalism.
There wasn't much to look at on stage and the young German duo were largely obliterated by their retro/futurist projections and retinascorching strobes. Furthermore, beyond the odd crack at an electric drum kit and a couple of turns on the mic, there was little to stimulate like a traditional live band set-up would.
But what they lacked in showmanship the pair more than compensated for with their electrifying sonics, flaunting a total mastery of rich distortion, pummelling drums and searing analogue synths. The set was exceptionally well-paced, too, front-loaded with the melancholia that defined their recent debut LP and rounded off with a punishing acid climax.
Naturally, total pandemonium ensued.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article