2ManyDJs

2ManyDJs

15 June, 2009
by: Markspoonfed

Having come straight from a superb performance of 'Cosi Fan Tutte' at the Coliseum, I feel somewhat out of place entering the sweaty cauldron that is the Academy wearing a crisp shirt and smart black shoes. 2ManyDJs would undoubtedly approve – they have after all made a career out of throwing together things that simply shouldn’t work. I roll up my sleeves and brace myself.
 
In a venue more used to hosting some of the biggest names in rock music, the sight of a lone figure hunched over a sequencer on an otherwise empty stage is curious to say the least. Florian Senfter aka Zombie Nation appears wholly untroubled by the unusual settings, but the gaping void surrounding him highlights the challenges of transporting dance music into what is ostensibly a live music environment. His inspired use of analogue effects gives his live set a raw, throbbing intent, constantly threatening to erupt without ever hitting top gear. The assembled masses are for the most part content to chatter amongst themselves, save for a brief cheer when Senfter drops his signature tune 'Kernkraft 400'. Still, it's early days.

Next up are James Murphy and Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem fame, whose juxtaposition of obscure disco cuts and gritty electro at least gets a few heads nodding enthusiastically. There is something charmingly amateurish in their complete failure to acknowledge the audience, and I feel like a voyeur peering into a vinyl nerd’s bedroom. It is a testament to their impeccable musical taste that the crowd are getting into it, and when they leave the stage to a looped vocal of Peter Gordon’s 'Don't Don't' we are perfectly primed for the night's illustrious headliners.

2ManyDJs is just one of the many monikers used by the highly influential Dewaele brothers, whose genre-straddling mash-ups have inspired countless imitators. Appearing in cloud of dry ice and dressed in formal evening wear, they immediately launch into their remix of the Chemical Brothers' classic 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl'. The pace is frantic as they jump between songs on what appears to be a whirlwind tour of chart history. MGMT's 'Kids' segues effortlessly into 'Sweet Dreams', which in turn morphs into Sepultura via Bodyrox. Their talent lies in making the most improbable mixes sound coherent, and there are some truly inspired moments – notably a joyous union of Kraftwerk and Diplo. The set is underpinned with a playful sense of humour throughout, as a screen displays animations and graphics of the sampled musicians.

If there is any criticism to be made, it is that their selections are a bit obvious at times. The reckless spirit of adventure which pervaded their early career has been replaced with a sense of predictability which becomes glaringly apparent towards the end of the set when they play Queen, The Bee Gees and Nirvana in quick succession. Still, 2ManyDJs are acutely aware of their audience, and tonight is essentially about playing dance music for a mainstream crowd. It is easy to be snobbish about their commercial approach, but then they have never held any underground pretensions. Tonight's emphatic show simply confirms this – and it is a roaring success.

Click here for all London electro
Click here to see all London DJ Music
Click here for things to do in Brixton

Markspoonfed