This Thursday last was a big one - but I'm a terrible narrator and I'm already getting ahead of myself - first, a bit of exposition:
My friends from London started mixing tracks as DJs more than a few years ago and took the humble name of 'Nero' to put their re-mixes and original tracks under. A record signing later (to Chase & Status' label) and with the addition of another good friend of mine, Alanna Watson, jumpininto the mix they were given the accolade of Radio One's "Acts To Watch In 2011." No small feat for an industry saturated by pop and cheap hooks. Nero graduatlly began to carve a niche for themselves in the drum and base and notably dub-step scene, drawing influences from French Electro as well as mainstream culture and music.
Their re-mixes alone drew fans from various genres. Alanna's lead female vocals have, in my opinion, done so much more than give the two DJ geniuses a voice; her inclusion has catapulted the band into the mainstream psyche and proven the most listened to UK Radio station's predictions to be - right on the money. There's a 'cause and effect' debate in there somewhere over whether Radio One 'called' their dominance or 'created' it but to be honest nobody cares. Their music is phenomenal.
As a friend of the trio I am undoubtedly biased and was a big fan of their essential mix that aired on Radio One but it wasn't until this week that I truly 'got' Nero in its entirety. The idea of getting tickets to see someone mixing tracks in front of a live audience never really appealed to me before: surely they could just do that at home, bring it in and press play. Except that to watch them, surrounded by all the custom designed staging (which was derived from sketches of Dan's), amid all the flashing and strobing choreographed lights and screens, is to appreciate their work on a whole new level. And even more important than all the dressing and packaging - the hard work that they put in to get exactly the sound they've strived for, is clear for everyone to see in the way they move with every grime-soaked beat. It really is a piece of theatre, with every moment planned down to the last second and the set-list has been calculated to keep die-hard fans and newcomers on their toes throughout.
Admittedly, we enjoyed a slightly less authentic experience from the upper gallery and then the V.I.P bar - choosing instead to watch the mosh pit from a distance (placing bets on those quite literally 'punching above their weight') - but this in no way detracted from an incredible night. And while the ringing in my ears and the inevitable 3am burger stayed with me longer than I'd hoped, the memory of an incredible night and the pride of seeing my friends hold a packed-out venue in the palm of their hand, will last until I'm old, grey and deaf in both ears.
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