On July 1, acclaimed British electronic duo Basement Jaxx made their long-awaited live return to New York, playing outdoors at Central Park for Summerstage NYC. Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton hadn’t played New York in nearly a decade (although they did do DJ sets), so this was a special occasion for both the group as well as their fans.
Opening the show was indie-soul group The Internet. Led by Odd Future member Syd the Kyd, the group shared offerings from their new album Ego Death, which was released in June via Odd Future and Columbia Records. They delighted the crowd with their fresh-take on the genre, with plenty of good vibes left over to carry us over before Basement Jaxx.
Although the core of Basement Jaxx is Ratcliffe and Buxton, they become a much larger collaboration when performing live. Singers Sharlene Hectic and Vula Malinga lead the vocal charge, all while dressed in eye-popping, visual stunning outfits. While they played their dance/house anthems, the group welcomed various performers and singers on stage such as a ballarina, and a whole outfit of costumed gorillas.
Basement Jaxx sounded larger than life, offering winning versions of tracks throughout their impressively long career, winning us over with newer songs (“Raindrops”) just as well as the old favorites (“Romeo,” “Where’s Your Head At?”), never really pausing to take a moments rest (they did have the park curfew working against them). It was a most memorable show that was perfect for the outdoor setting of Summerstage. Who knows, it may be another 10 years before they return next. Either way, I hope they return soon enough. We’ll be waiting.
Find photos of both Basement Jaxx and The Internet posted below, along with Basement Jaxx’s setlist.
Setlist:
1. Good Luck
2. Unicorn
3. Power To The People
4. Red Alert
5. Taiko Juntos
6. Back 2 the Wild
7. What’s the News
8. Oh My Gosh
9. Everybody
10. Never Say Never
11. Romeo
12. Jump n’ Shout
13. Buffalo
14. Raindrops
15. Do Your Thing
16. Rock This Road
17. Where’s Your Head At?
18. Rendez-Vu
19. Bingo Bango
The Internet:
Basement Jaxx:
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