Clubs / Reviews
Review: The Chemical Brothers – ‘Vibrant energy and passion’
For decades now, the South West has welcomed some of dance music’s biggest names. From household artists like Massive Attack, Carl Cox, and Aphex Twin, to the more recent spectacles of Fred Again.., Nia Archives, and Camelphat – Bristol has remained a hub for British rave culture.
This time, generations of big beat lovers migrated towards Motion’s newest venue, Document, to witness one of electronic music’s most iconic duos: The Chemical Brothers.
Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons formed the outfit in Manchester in 1989, and the 12–time Glastonbury performers are no strangers to Bristol, appearing most recently at Forwards in 2022.
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But this day party, in collaboration with one of Britain’s longest–running club nights, BuggedOut!, promised an extraordinary experience for the near–3,000 ravers in attendance.
The Bugged Out day party saw the venue gradually filling up to reach its 3,000 capacity by the time the main act hit the stage
For the most ardent of these, the perpetuating bassline filling a large radius of streets surrounding the venue signalled the day’s opening artist, Fall Forward – the perfect way to get the crowd and the speakers warmed up.
His energetic set was followed by phenomenal London–based DJ and radio presenter Tia Cousins whose most recent residency has been for Bristol’s online radio station Noods as well as supporting renowned electronic artist Overmono.
Playing a wide–ranging selection of genres and beats, Cousins’ set warmed the crowd up even more for the evening’s world–famous headline act.
Another seamless change of DJ — this time the legendary DJ Paulette. Having held residencies in clubs such as The Hacienda, Ibiza Rocks, and Ministry of Sound, it is fair to say the crowd were witnessing 90 minutes of dance music greatness. DJ Paulette brought the day’s later entrants up to speed through a tantalising set of house and techno, new and old.
Award-winning DJ Paulette brought the disco, house and techno early in the day
There was to be one final support act — and this one promised to be special. DJ Paulette’s electric set came to a close, and Leon Vynehall entered the fray, followed onstage by the phenomenon that is long-time BuggedOut! collaborator Erol Alkan.
Slowly returning the BPM to its previous state, the two instantly won the attention of ravers, bringing in heavy basslines and much–loved techno beats. The crowd responded with raised hands, cheers at every drop, and nonstop dancing. T
he duo’s final track – a club mix of Switch’s A Bit Patchy that boomed through the smoke-filled warehouse, was undoubtedly a highlight.
Erol Alkan and Leon Vynehall hit the crowd hard with heavy basslines and techno beats
Closing in on the end of this back–to–back set, two recognisable figures made their way onstage. Rowlands and Simons began to slow down the music as the lights went up, sending the venue into a frenzy.
In a conversation I had six hours prior to this moment, I was told: “Tonight is going to be three hours of pure techno”. This was no lie. The acclaimed duo burst into their opening track, pulsing techno beats to every corner of the warehouse. The set progressed seamlessly, paired with an omnipresent set of amorous cheers that continually underscored the sounds of each drop as fans showed their love for the headliners.
One of the evening’s many highlights began when undertones of Charli XCX’s Girl, So Confusing were made out as the recognisable beat of Hey Boy, Hey Girl was carefully mixed in, before moving into one of electronic music’s most famous drops.
The duo continued to play a mixture of their songs with an array of techno and big beat selections from other like–minded artists — much to the enjoyment of the Bristol crowd. As the night drew to a close, the vibrant energy in the room echoed the passion shared by all for big beat and The Chemical Brothers.
For the event organisers, BuggedOut!, this was not just a celebration of music, but a testament to the flourishing Bristol music scene; it was certainly a 30th birthday to remember.
All images: Alastair Brookes
This is an edited version of a review provided by The Bristol Gig Guide, the best resource for Bristol gigs.
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