Review: Chase & Status @ Koko, London 

Date: 29/04/10

Reviewed by: James Massoud

Appearing on stage to raucous cheers and a bass-hungry mosh pit, Saul Milton and Will Kennard aka Chase & Status took to their respective decks, identified by the flashing red initials of their DJ names. MC Rage was hosting the night and got the crowd prepared for the first song – ‘Smash TV’. The track features the Axl Rose quote, “You know where you are? You’re in the jungle baby,” from the Guns n Roses single – ‘Welcome to the Jungle’. The song was a perfect choice for an opener; the combination of the sirens and the staggered bass getting the pulses going.  

The strobe lights bouncing off the giant disco ball hanging from Koko’s ceiling illuminated the frenzied moshing of the crowd in front of the stage. T-shirts, drinks and glow sticks were thrown over their heads but none of the moshers seemed to notice, or care. The bass was all that mattered and things got even more hyped-up when Tempa T took the stage.  

The grime MC looks like Micah Richards with a flat-top, but the dude is ripped - so I’ll leave it at that. With Tempa T on stage the energy levels soared through the roof. His liveliness bounced off MC Rage and the two vigorously paced the stage. With Status remaining on the decks for Tempa T’s set, Chase took the stage with an electric guitar.  

Excellent use was made of the huge screen behind the drummer, with visuals coming courtesy of The Light Surgeons. Visual ranged from flashing lights to animated monkeys, and ivy covered statues to artists who’d collaborated on songs with the drum and bass duo. Such artists to make an “appearance” on screen were Jenna G for the song ‘In Love’ and Takura on ‘Streetlife’ and ‘Running’. The high tempo of ‘Hurt You’ was another standout song, as was the Asian infused theme of ‘Eastern Jam’, which sent the crowd nuts.  

The gig was brought to a climatic finale when Chase & Status played their superb remix of Nneka’s brilliant single ‘Heartbeat’. It was an ideal song to end the night and they left the stage to rapturous applause and deafening whistles of appreciation. The baying crowd were hungry for more though, and it wasn’t long before MC Rage returned to the stage much to the delight of the fans. He asked the crowd if they wanted to see one final, very special, guest. 

The excited noise that followed filled the venue and exploded by 100 extra decibels as soon as Plan B’s name was roared into the mic. The decibels continued to rise each second as Plan B took to the stage. Two songs were played: ‘End Credits’ from the film Harry Brown’s soundtrack and ‘Pieces’ from Chase & Status’ album More Than A Lot. The crowd were left satisfied and in a state of heated euphoria.  

See Chase & Status when they appear live at Rockness in June. Tickets are NOW ON SALE through Skiddle, below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event