Digitalism at Warehouse Project
The Electronic Line-up in Manchester is Topped by the German DJs
In November 2007 Manchester's Warehouse Project played host to popular acts Simian Mobile Disco and Vitalic but new DJ duo Digitalism and their punk sound stole the crowd
On the eve of 17th November 2007 a crowd of electro music lovers queued at trendy beneath-the-streets Manchester club 'The Warehouse Project' in anticipation of a night with Simian Mobile Disco, Digitalism and Vitalic.
Simian Mobile Disco
The music kicked off with Bristol remix team Simian Mobile Disco playing their typical blend of minimal instrumentation and darkly synthesized sounds. SMD are relative newcomers to the UK’s live scene, only playing their first gig in May 2007, but seemed hot from the success of the release of their debut album ‘Attack Decay Sustain Release’ in June. Their enthusiasm was transmitted to the dancers as they travelled around the stage energetically enjoying the venue, even if the set seemed a little over-indulgently promotional of the recent CD.
Digitalism
They were followed up by a relatively rare sight in the UK’s clubs; German electro-punk duo Digitalism with their heavy, indie electro. With undertones of eighties pop distorted through crashing instrumentals and irregular baselines, Digitalism’s heavy music provided a stark contrast to the minimalist, and sometimes jarringly obscure, beeps of both Simian Mobile Disco and headliners Vitalic. The energy and excitement radiating from the stage was even more infectious than Simian Mobile Disco’s initial success and transformed the DJ night into a gig-like atmosphere.
The quality of their live performance was no doubt enhanced by the tone and acoustics of the venue which seemed to effectively reflect Digitalism’s mashed-up beats. Located in a quasi-cave beneath the city’s main Picadilly Station, with chemical toilets and the excitement and abandonment usually reserved for summer music festivals, Manchester’s Warehouse Project was a welcome throwback to the 90s rave scene in comparison to the over-packed and over-priced clubs that now haunt city centres. Its relatively small size and the narrow width of the stage was also attributable to the event’s success, lending an intimacy to the night typically difficult to find in conjunction with the big names.
After a brief pause, the king of the underground French electronic Vitalic took to the stage but his classic minimalism could not compete with Digitalism’s heavy sounds and some of the party atmosphere was lost at start of his set, encouraging much of the crowd to brave rain (and nowadays social recrimination) for a cigarette.
The aftermath
Didgitalism’s debut album ‘Idealism,’ released in May 2007, carries the same energy as the live set and the universal quality of the tracks reflects both their ability and diversity. The night at The Warehouse Project, advertised via social networking website Facebook, seems to have given them some much needed recognition in the radio sphere of electronic music. The success of the less-known German DJs was evident from the excited conversations and wall postings left on Facebook professing that although many of the attendees had originally bought tickets to see Vitalic they had left with Digitalism’s tunes still resounding in their heads. With more performance dates coming up in the UK during April, their punky version of the dance genre will no doubt prove its popularity soon.
For details on upcoming events and to listen to excerpts from the album visit Digitalism on MySpace.
