020. Hot Chip & Rex The Dog @ O2 Academy, Oxford [27-02-2009]

When you’re behind the decks, it’s important to remember that no matter the quality of the set you have constructed, how amazing the records you choose are, or how perfectly you can mix between them, not everyone is there for the music. People go to a club to have some drinks, look at the girls (or boys), have a bit of a dance, see a named band or DJ they’ve heard in person, or a combination there of. Some people are really into the music, others less so and just have a general preference for something a bit electronicy of an evening out. Some couldn’t care what’s been played, they just want to have what they think is a good time. Sadly, when I’m in front of the decks I can forget this, as I did for a short while this weekend when it was off to the O2 Academy to watch Rex The Dog work his magic for the second time in four months.

First up was Hot Chip. As a band they are averagely mediocre; generally inoffensive but nothing breathtakingly, pantwettingly amazing. As DJs they are much the same. Their set gently bubbled away giving us some nice tunes with a good groove, but just when things felt like they were coming to a boil and about to set the night off there was no reward.

Hot Chip then, certainly not ones to avoid, but not ones spend all your savings on to see one last time before the economy collapses beyond all recognition. Unfortunately, their set was marred by a high crowd ratio of absolute knobbers - people completely off their head on chemicals (of the legal and illegal variety) intent on partying in their own way irrespective of whether they spill their drunk into you, shove you out of their way or collapse all over you in an attempt to ‘dance’. God, I sound so old.

Thankfully, with the big names gone, and Rex The Dog’s MacBook decisively hooked up the sound system, the ratio of undesirables shrank as the crowd considerably thinned. Playing a set which relied heavily on his own productions, this evening confirmed my belief that Rex The Dog live is simply not to be missed. And, hearing a snippet of Kraftwerk - The Robots just before the end was a treat in and of its self (lets hope for some Mel & Kim next time!). Generally speaking, Rex’s tune selection tends to be guided by two core production values: 1) sound great on a loud sound system, and 2) ensure they make people dance. These values guide me when I pack my record box. This is why I like his sets.

I think you’d probably like his sets too. So, look at the pictures below, find out where he’s playing here, before ordering the album and latest single, Bubblicious, here. Finally smile, safe in the knowledge you’ve now got some tunes which sound great on a big rig and are safe bets to get the dance floor moving, plus you’ve booked the privilege to see it done by the man/dog himself.

Hot Chip & Rex The Dog @ O2 Academy, Oxford
[27-02-2009]

Tune of the Night: <--- last tune of night ID --->

Ticket Price: £12 adv.
Pint of Diet-Coke rating: £2.50