Club review: Jamie XX, Four Tet and Jay Electronica @ The Warehouse Project

This sold out event was definitely a must see date on the Warehouse calendar, which saw Jamie XX, one of the world's most sought after producers, headlining a stellar line-up including Four Tet.

Date published: 13th Nov 2011

Date: 29th October 2011

Words: Jo Waddington

Photos: Joseph T Denyer

Saturday 29th October proved to be one of the hardest Warehouse Projects to get tickets for. This sold out event was definitely a must see date on the Warehouse calendar, which saw Jamie XX, one of the world's most sought after producers, headlining a stellar line-up including Four Tet.

We've attended a number of sold out Warehouse events, but never has one quite caught the essence of the perfect pre-gig atmosphere as tonight did. A wide range of clientele, the hustle and bustle, the dancing and the general mood around Store St was rife. Everyone was clearly in high spirits and beaming that they were lucky enough to have the hottest ticket in town.

Four Tet lived up to the high standard that he always delivers. The electro-house DJ delivered a high-energy, euphoric performance. ‘Sing’ was a standout moment in his set and each track and mix was played so seamlessly and effortlessly. There are many electronic house DJs around at the moment, but not many deliver such a memorable performance as Four Tet.

Jay Electronica brought a monumental dose of hip-hop to the table and raised the roof with his abstract rhyming style. Despite his pretentious nature of referring to gun crime and typical ‘urban’ activity, there is no denying that this New Orleans rapper is pretty darn good. The walls pulsated as the crowed jumped up and down, obeying to each gesture and movement that was happening on stage. To place Jay Electronica after Four Tet, as a ‘warm-up’ to Jamie XX was a daring decision, but worked in a way that only a Warehouse Project could.

more info

Date: Saturday 29th October 2011
Event: WHP: Jamie XX Presents at The Warehouse Project
Venue: The Warehouse Project
Artists: Jamie Jones, Julio Bashmore, Kyle Hall, Four Tet, Jamie XX, Fantastic Mr Fox, Jay Electronica

Now for our headliner. If you haven’t heard of Jamie XX then it's pretty much a case of ‘welcome back to Planet Earth’. This producer is not only behind one of the bands that has opened the doors for so many artists in the music scene over the past few years; he has also worked with some of the most credible and in demand artists currently working in the UK. If there’s a good record out there, Jamie XX has probably done a remix. This is why so many people have been excited about tonight, as there is no telling what he will pull out of the bag. And no matter what it is, this boy can seemingly do no wrong.

Despite previous acts creating more activity and ‘hands in the air’ moments, Jamie XX has the crowd mesmerised and swaying in motion, in a more encapsulated atmosphere. It’s easy to get captured in the moment when he plays, to the point where it feels as if nobody is in the room. His set was much softer and more delicate affair than many had anticipated. His remix of Gils Scott-Heron ‘NY is Killing Me’ set the crowd off and brought a glimmer of urbanity to his set. He expertly crafted thick layers of electronic and magnetising melody.

When he left the stage many snapped out of their Jamie XX trance and were left hoping that surely there was more to come. More riffs and drops, more energy… but that wasn’t the case.

However, to stand there and reflect on the night and reflect on the set, you remember that it really was something special. It’s easy to become expectant and easily pleased at such events, but for Jamie XX to play such an unexpected set was in fact a clever and genius thing to do. He definitely leaves you wanting more…