Sunday 18th October
The Warehouse Project is probably the most exciting phenomenon in Manchester since The Hacienda. Given that the city has a history of providing the backdrop for new music it was appropriate that on Sunday it held host to Groove Armada presenting Black Light, the bands’ hotly anticipated new album.
It’s difficult to pin point Groove Armada stylistically, with older material varying from chillout to triphop and house. Their roots lie in many musical genres; Andy Cato grew up with brass band music while Tom Findlay fell in love with black America. Black Light successfully explores eighties dance and electronica without abandoning their musical past.
The duo are serial collaborators, having worked with a variety of vocalists including Mutya Buena and Boy George. Black Light introduces singing sensation Saintsaviour, a real find for Groove Armada as they venture further into electronica. She helps carry it off with strikingly soulful and powerfully evocative vocals, giving beyond doubt a compelling performance.
For a venue that usually houses club nights that go on into the early hours of the morning it was surprising that the ex air-raid shelter worked well for a gig. The energy and excitement that the set induced says something about Groove Armada’s showmanship. It was noticeable that many people refrained from dancing, instead they were spellbound by the live band on the stage and the scintillating lasers and lighting. It was clearly a much anticipated night by many, and Groove Armada did not disappoint.
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