Tuesday 9th June 2009 @ Academy, Bristol

Tonight’s 2ManyDJs set was a postponed gig from earlier in the year and so the gig has sold out quite easily. For those of you unaware of 2ManyDJs, they are a French duo who are most famous for their incredible remixes and mash-up dance mixes. They have also been know to go under the guise of Soulwax, Radio Soulwax and Hang The DJ. Tonight, after a plethora of random warm-up DJs, the cut-up masters took to the stage in full tuxedos looking pretty damn smooth.

They began their set with one of their most famous remixes; The Soulwax Nite version of Standing In The Way Of Control by mighty punk band The Gossip. This remix not only catapulted The Gossip to fame but was also the infamous song to accompany the famous Skins house party adverts. As soon as the mix started, two HUGE and impressively bright video screens were revealed either side of the decks. This was static until the songs chorus kicked in and then the cover to the single started to animate. This was an amusing sight as they animated the single or album cover to every song on the screens throughout the night.

Nothing is too safe or too taboo to mix in this set and sop we got everything from Depeche Mode to Dizzee Rascal and Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Dolly Parton. Although there wasn’t as many ‘mash-up’ songs cut together as I expected, it was easily one of the most well balanced DJ sets I have ever heard. The frantic and occasionally gurning crowd could not help but smile and look on in awe at the videos as they constantly danced to the amazing array of anthems they were witnessing. The choice of songs was perfect and it seemed no-one would brave a drink or loo break in fear of missing another awesome mix or classic track.

My only gripe (be it ever so small) was that the video was perfectly choreographed to the mixing of the set, so much so that it seemed like they weren’t actually mixing it live. It almost seemed like they could have just walked away and left a laptop to it but I’m sure this want the case and that they were mixing the video too as on a couple of occasions the songs stalled to build up tension for the next mix.

2ManyDJs are possibly one of the best DJ acts in the world to dance to and I can honestly say their CD Radio Soulwax Part 1 is the best dance mix album you will ever own.

www.2manydjs.com

Stu Freeman