NZ's Shapeshifter - still giants of drum and bass, with sell-out London show 14 Apr 2014
Charlotte Everett
New Zealand band Shapeshifter have demonstrated that they are truly giants of the drum and bass scene, with a stellar performance in London on Saturday night further testament to that fact. The gig, part of their European Delta tour, not only sold out with time to spare – hundreds of fans who had missed out hit social media in a desperate attempt to get tickets, with the Kiwis in London Facebook page publicly posting an appeal for tickets, due to the large number of enquiries.
But it wasn’t just Kiwis looking for a taste of home who flocked to The Forum in Kentish Town on Saturday night. The diverse crowd in attendance were indicative of Shapeshifter’s rightful place as an international act in their own right. 2,300 fans packed into the venue for an incredible performance where the only low point was the boys leaving the stage at the end of it all – to which a large chunk of the audience responded with visible and vocal disappointment that they weren’t going to get an endless sequence of encores.
Strangely, there was no supporting band to open for the main act. A steady stream of fans trickled in from 7pm when the doors opened; Shapeshifter came on at 9.15pm. The lack of a warm-up act didn’t hinder their performance whatsoever – the vibe in the room was electric, and people were more than happy to dance to the DJ and chat amongst themselves until Shapeshifter announced their arrival on stage with their signature sound and dramatic lighting show. As always, a Shapeshifter show is one of immense spectacle, combining polished musicianship with showmanship and intensive use of lighting effects. There’s really no need for supporting acts because Shapeshifter deliver a full-scale dance party on their own.
Highlights included Paora Apera’s trance-inducing vocals, a killer drum solo from Darren Mathiassen, and a collaborative performance with special surprise guest Tiki Taane.
Overall, one of the most memorable and best nights out you can have – in London, or elsewhere. We look forward to Shapeshifter’s return in the near future.
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