Review: Bryget Chrisfield. Photos. Kate Arnott
Hot Chip’s Joy In Repetition: The ‘Best Of’ Performed Live AO show reminds us these Brits are untouchable live.
While we queue for access into AO Live’s top court precinct, a security guard jests, “One chip. With chicken salt. But it’ll be fun!”
Hot Chip’s intro tape of choice is AC/DC’s T.N.T., which revs us up for the main event before the five band members file out and take their positions. “I got something for your mind, your body, and your soul…” – this sample from Lyn Collins’ 1972 track Think (About It) signals they’ll open with Huarache Lights this evening. This track dropped ten years ago and features lyrics that ring truer than ever right now (eg. “Replace us with the things that do the job better”). A stage hand materialises with a giant tennis racket, which Alexis Taylor hilariously utilises to play slide guitar – talk about a golden photo op!
Let’s just dissect One Life Stand for a second: fat beats that won’t quit; wonky synths; shimmering steel drums; pew-pew laser samples; Joe Goddard’s angelic; floaty falsetto reprise (“Feeling/ Keep on feeling”); economical, funky guitar – it doesn’t get any better than this. The interplay between keyboardist/guitarist Owen Clarke and guitarist/keyboardist/percussionist Al Doyle is delightful. They dance facing one another like they’re sharing precious dancefloor moments, beaming all the while, and ‘twinkletoes’ Clarke would be a perfect fit for Dancing With The Stars (or Strictly Come Dancing as it’s called in the UK).
Following Night And Day, which is resplendent with precise percussive flourishes, Goddard observes “that was some nice clapping!” When Taylor and Goddard’s vocals overlap, it’s such a goddamn blissful blend that real tears of happiness roll down our faces.
“Work that right side, left side work that more…” – Flutes offers some dance-move inspo, which Taylor, Goddard, Clarke and Owen occasionally demonstrate by changing direction en masse every eight counts.
Taylor then introduces the boppy, upbeat Positive: “This one is about looking out for other people.” We were born Ready For The Floor and this banger’s gentlemanly lyrics (“I’m hoping perchance you might take this dance”) charm our pants off.
During Look At Where We Are – a rare ballad/opportunity to catch our breath – Goddard suddenly brandishes a tambourine, scrutinizing drummer Leo Taylor to ensure he’s perfectly synced to the beat. The band later confirm their drummer is no relation to Alexis, adding this is a hot topic on Reddit.
The joy of repetition really is in us throughout Over And Over, which was always gonna be a highlight moment. “Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal…” – gotta love this image bursting into the mind’s eye while busting moves! When Doyle magics some bells from somewhere on his person, ringing them furiously just before the drop, we’re completely under Hot Chip’s spell.
After leaving the stage briefly, Hot Chip return for an encore that commences with a condensed version of Melody Of Life. They certainly know their way around a cover, and Hot Chip’s take on Someday by CeCe Rogers – a gospel-laced, eighties piano-house classic – demonstrates their immaculate taste in music. Set closer Boy From School’s scattered bleeps fit together perfectly – a complex sonic jigsaw.
With their winning combination of bombastic, banging beats, effervescent synths, chugging guitar and whimsical vocals, Hot Chip’s euphoric indietronica bleeds with humanity. Our limbs are abducted for their set’s duration, and we leave the precinct feeling lighter and more optimistic about life in general.
Setlist
Huarache Lights
One Life Stand
Night And Day
Flutes
Positive
Ready For The Floor
Hungry Child
Look At Where We Are
I Feel Better
Need You Now
Over And Over
Encore:
Melody Of Love
Someday (CeCe Rogers cover)
Boy From School
