Live Review

Soulwax, Chibuku – Nation, Liverpool

• 5th Nov 2007

If this is it, then shiiiiit. Add it to the list of Chibuku’s saying “I was there at that one”. In one hell of a big party we were just here to watch a gig but these are the Wonderyears of Chibuku and something, anything must happen.

The courtyard lets in the rain and on stage Soulwax caved in and got into a fight with security.

It was certainly the highlight and unfortunate talking point. “Bottles hurled at security. The drummer smashed through his own kit.” I warned about the nature of the crew in here tonight. Don’t mess with them. They are doing a job. They didn’t fuck with the Hell’s Angels did they?

I thought I was aged until I felt the resurgent buzz of Late of the Pier. Their set climaxing in Bathroom Gurgles, the epic tribute to Gary Numan, Freddie Mercury and Klaxons (all of whom sadly couldn’t be here tonight).

Different crowds bring different people to see different line ups at Chibuku, each one is different, unique in its own jigsaw party, a conundrum of rooms and acts of varying potency.

This is it then. This is the hotbed of the UK scene, the setting of the 2008 MTV Europe music awards, Liverpool Music Week and a thriving underground music scene that attracts only the best names in dance, indie and electro. Let’s just hope it lasts long enough to see Capital of Culture.