| People around the world go to great lengths for religion. Manﾕs quest for salvation seems to be never ending as he flocks to churches, synagogues, temples, shrines, and various other religious sites and monuments all over the globe. Iﾕd be lying if I were to say that this unparalleled dedication didn't baffle me at times. While I am a big believer in spirituality, I'm not so much a fan of organized religion. I am completely supportive of those who believe in it, but it's just not for me. Goodness, faith, and spirit enlightenment can be found in so many places and with religion having such different meanings for everyone the idea of mass, organized worshipping in specific buildings or areas seems strange to me. Celebrations of spirituality should take place every where all the time. They shouldn't be confined to places where so-called religious figures are present. They should happen in supermarkets, schools, parks, forests, malls, train stations, and most definitely music clubs. In 1998 Faithless sang "This is my church/ This is where I heal my hurts/ For tonight/ God is a DJ." I've always liked this idea, but I only truly experienced what it meant during the second show of the Chemical Brothers' recent three-night stint in Tokyo. |
The gig started off no differently than any other concert. After drowning the stage in blue light and smoke Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons emerged from the darkness amidst cheers of delight from the capacity crowd. As soon as the opening sounds of "Hey Boy Hey Girl" filled the venue, Shibuya AX became a giant trampoline as attendees gleefully bounced up and down in unison. The Chemical Brothers kept the party going by breaking out the Grammy-nominated "Get Yourself High" next. Unfortunately the track didn't include Canadian MC k-os' excellent free-styling, but its bass heavy grooves still went over well with the audience (as an aside check out k-os' Joyful Rebellion album, it'll blow your mind - and somebody bring this boy to Japan soon!).A pair of black curtains opened behind the guys' giant console of computers, synthesizers, and other electronic toys to reveal a giant movie screen. Working their way through 50 minutes of non-stop music the band kept everyone moving with a solid selection of songs from their acclaimed back catalogue and the recently released Push The Button. As an assortment of videos played that showcased everything from psychedelic shapes and colours to tanks, bombers, and pumping fists the group wowed fans with awesome renditions of "Galvanize", "Block Rockin' Beats", and "Leave Home". |
After pausing briefly to walk to the front of the stage and applaud the audience, the group kicked into the second half of their set. As they begin to play "Believe" images of various blobs morphing into crosses and churches flashed across the screen. The crowd clapped along as Kele Okereke's looped voice cried out "I need to believe in something." It was during this moment that Faithless' song made sense. Although this may not have been a church, during "Believe" it definitely became a place of love and worship. Hordes of eager practitioners suddenly had something to believe in and praise, namely the power of people and music. The Brothers console became an altar and the two preachers up front had the entire congregation dancing wildly and raising their hands to the heavens above with their passionate sermon. In a world with so much despair anything that can provide a few hours of peace and joy should be welcomed and celebrated and during "Believe" it was. For a short period all troubles were forgotten and people basked in the greatness that is life. Whatever higher being the crowd believed in was there helping them rejoice and give praise for that with which they had been blessed.Leaving shortly after the moving performance of "Believe", the Chemical Brothers returned several minutes later for a two-song encore. As they made their way into the night's closing number, Dig Your Own Hole's "The Private Psychedelic Reel", the curtains behind them were cast aside to reveal a stained glass picture of Jesus. As the group eased into the song more images scrolled across the screen while the throngs below screamed their praises. With a giant explosion of white light the track took off. Different pictures rapidly appeared and then disappeared above while green lasers and strobe lights masked the band as they re-created the epic song. Helping all the worshipers achieve some kind of inner salvation by guiding them with their joyful and glorious rhythms the intensity of the throbbing bass and infectious break-beats mirrored the singing of the strongest choirs. 
With whirling beautiful noise filling their hearts and saving their souls attendees cheered as the word "LOVE" was projected onto the screen and the band made their exit. The Chemical Brothers' music may be a far way from traditional hymns, but it brought a large number of people together to celebrate and rejoice. Tonight a higher power may not have been acting as a DJ, but they definitely were among the masses dancing up a storm and having the time of their life. Maybe Belinda Carlisle was right and Heaven really is a place on Earth, you just have to know where to find it.- setlist - Hey Boy Hey Girl/ Get Yourself High/ Big Jump/ Galvanize/ Music: Response/ Block Rockin' Beats/ Leave Home/ Come Inside/ Under The Influence/ It Doesn't Matter/ Out Of Control/ Temptation ﾐ Star Guitar/ Surface To Air/ Hoops/ Believe/ Acid Children (EBW7)/ Golden Path/ Slow But Grind/ Got Glint/ The Private Psychedelic Reel |
|
report by shawn and photo by ryota
|
 mag files : The Chemical Brothers Weekly Service : (05/02/12 @ Shibuya AX ) : report by shawn, photo by ryota驚きの白さ、抜群ケミカルウォッシュ : (05/02/12 @ Shibuya AX ) : report by toddy, photo by ryotaプログラマイズされたラブストーリーに感電しよう : (05/02/11 @ Shibuya AX ) : report by ryoji, photo by ryotaケミカルフラザースの到達点 : (05/02/11 @ Shibuya AX ) : report by nob, photo by ryotaDisc Review『SINGLES 93-03 COLLECTION』 (05/02/05) : review by nob |
|
The official site The Chemical Brothers http://www.thechemicalbrothers.com/ The latest album  『PUSH THE BUTTON』 ( 国内盤 / US import / UK import ) The latest single 『Galvanize』 ( 国内盤 / US import ) |
previous works
『Singles 93-03』
( 国内盤 / US import / UK import ) 『Come With Us』 ( 国内盤 / US import / UK import ) 『Dig Your Own Hole』 ( 国内盤 / US import / UK import ) 『Surrender』 ( 国内盤 / US import ) 『Exit Planet Dust』 ( 国内盤 / US import / UK import ) check the albums? |
 2005Weekly Service : The Chemical Brothers (12th Feb @ Shibuya AX)Tattoos and a Whole Lotta Hair : EXTREME THE DOJO Vol.12 feat. Every time I Die, As I Lay Dying and Shadows Fall (7th Feb @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Geography At Its Best : ISIS (5th Feb @ Shibuya Club Quattro)To The Extreme : The Shins (31st Jan @ Harajuku Astro Hall)CD review : "Panopticon" : Isis (27th Jan)Winter Be Damned : Ash (17th Jan @ Shibuya AX)Interview : Peaceful, But Far From Quiet : Mono (20th Jan)CD review : "The Nein" : The Nein (13th Jan)2004CD review : "Christmas" : Old Man Gloom (28th Dec)Music Soothes the Savage Beast
: eastern youth (20th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)And to all A Good Night : Shonen Knife (19th Dec @ Daikanyama Unit)Exciting Music for Exciting People : illreme (6th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)It's In Their Hands Now : Franz Ferdinand (29th Nov @ Shibuya AX)Lights, Camera, Action : Brahman (15th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Mostly Business : The Stills (8th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Scare The Rock Right Outta Ya : Halloween Ball 2004 feat . The 5,6,7,8's, Gasoline, The Woggles (30th Oct @ Shiomkitazawa Shelter)Three More, Two More, and Take it to the Left : Hawaiian6/ Idol Punch (11th Oct @ Shinjuku Loft)Busting Eardrums : Mogwai (5th Oct @ Ebisu Liquidroom AX )Medical Breakthrough : The Most Notorious Vol. 18 feat. Melt Banana and K.K. Null (25th Sept @ Shimokitazawa Shelter )Grey Skies Are Going To Clear Up... : HUSKING BEE (5th Sept @ Shibuya AX )no title : V∞REDOMS (8th Aug @ Ebisu Liquidroom )CD review : Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes : Andre Ethier2003Cause Music Must Be Magic : Mayor McCa (21st Dec @ The Casbah,Hamilton, Ontario )Make It a Double : EVANESCENCE (28th Jul @ Shinjuku AX)Getting Knifed in Tokyo : Shonen Knife / bloodthirsty butchers(12th Jul @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Hail Hail! Some of Japan's best come together to pay tribute to San Diego's finest : TRIBUTE TO ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT feat. John Speedo with Jet Boys, Retro Gretion, and KEMURI, (21st June '03 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)The Canucks are Coming! The Canucks are Coming! : Simple Plan & GOB (26th Apr @ Akasaka Blitz)no title : Banda Bassotti with Doberman, Oi Skall Mates & Rude Bones (12th May @ Kawasaki Club Citta)The Enchanting Sounds of Summer : KEMURI (31st May @ Shinjuku ACB Hall)Absolutely F**king Brilliant!! : The Coral (21st Apr @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Short Circuit w/ Asparagus (24th Mar @ Shibuya AX) |