First Direct Arena, LeedsAgainst huge projections of robots, disco balls and angels, the band deliver a rousing set that even makes the players themselves punch the air
In the 90s electronic boom, when the Chemical Brothers, Leftfield, Orbital and the Prodigy formed the “big four” acts making dance
music a live experience, occasional festival appearances were the only real opportunities they had to take their music to the masses. Most of their gigs saw audiences crammed into student halls and mid-sized venues. Today, as live music has exploded along with bigger, visuals-friendly venues and the band’s influence (this week they were nominated for three Grammy awards), the Chems have made the step into arenas, where they can showcase their electric dreams on the scale they’ve long imagined.
At first, the opening night of their first regional tour in 20 years feels like an old-school rave. Some people have exhumed their 90s bucket hats – once popularised by Stone Roses drummer Reni. Others in the balconies are constantly up and in the aisles all night, giving security staff a headache. Meanwhile, DJs play vintage dance tracks before the main act come on. LFO’s thumping sub-bass workout of the same name, once popularised in nearby Leeds Warehouse, gets rapturous cheers of recognition.