Get ready to ignite

CSS + Justice, Leeds Uni, 02/12/07

One word for the Justice live experience – astonishing.

Surely it’s the point of support acts to be not as good as the headliner, to provide support, make the main act look better. It’s certainly been the case for pretty much every gig I’ve been to until now.

But never before have I seen a support just totally own it. This must have been booked months ago when situations were different. They should have gone on last. At the very least call it a joint headline. Justice tore the place down, and CSS watched on nervously from the balcony.

Their weapon of choice was a massive glowing bank of machinery, adorned which a giant glowing cross. The beats were punishing, horrendously loud pulses thundering out the speakers. Each thud was like a kick to the chest. You had to dance. It would only get worse if you didn’t.

D.A.N.C.E started out as a slow singalong, the room united, arms in the air, knowing what was around the corner. Cheeky little samples reared their head, Atlantis To Interzone’s siren-and-response making the most appearances. DNVO and Phantom upped the sonic crunch. One by one the crowd were realising that, yes, this is one of the most sensational gigs they have ever witnessed. Sweat was dripping from the ceiling. I was dancing like a twat. CSS were starting to regret this.

Never Be Alone started out life half a decade ago on Simian’s second album, a decent indie/electro crossover that probably would have got a lot more attention if it was released these days. But it missed the zeitgeist and got buried under Almost, But Not Quite. Then two French fashion kids entered their stabber of a remix into a magazine competition, and the rest is sticky dancefloors everywhere. So I guess it’s only right that they own this song now, it’s cry of WE! ARE! YOUR FRIENDS! an anthem for the day-glo children.

Waters Of Nazareth was almost painful, that song could start wars. Justice was served. Follow that...

If they had anyone else on before them, I’d be raving about CSS. But this was the third time I’ve seen them this year. The set was near identical, the new material wasn’t mindblowing, and there was a general air of “meh”. Still, they know how to put on a show. Off The Hook and Alala are always gonna get us moving. There was snow, ticker tape and dancing Christmas trees. Lets Make Love And Listen Death From Above is still a stormer. But they need some new tricks.

If Justice had headlined that night I probably would have flown home. You. Need. To. See. This. Band. Quite possibly the best performance I’ve seen this year, and that includes Arcade Fire at Glasto. And I don’t say that lightly.