While it may be their farewell tour (after their last run of Australian live shows in 2012 declared the same agenda – so GA tour in 2032 then?!), the immense love expressed from audience to band at Groove Armada's Brisbane concert last Friday (18 November) showcased the deep affinity Aussies have for the British electronic, trip hop, house maestros.
A band active for a quarter of a century, Groove Armada are deadset legends of the game and their enduring popularity across multiple generations was embodied when this show sold out well in advance (I had so many conversations with disappointed people who only heard about the tour once tickets had already been snaffled).Arriving at The Fortitude Music Hall about 20 minutes prior to the band going onstage, the venue was packed (almost to the rafters), with each bar (five in total) stacked five-to-ten-people deep.
Finding the smallest queue on the top level stage right (a hint for anyone who finds themselves at a packed Fortitude Music Hall in the future) I was still in the queue as the band entered the stage to a medley of their all-time classics before 'The Girl Says' (from 2007 album 'Soundboy Rock', which would feature heavily throughout the show) launched the set.
With the next two tracks performed lifted from 2010 album 'Black Light' ('Look Me In The Eye Sister' and 'I Won't Kneel'), Groove Armada had the crowd bouncing to the tech house grooves, warehouse rave feels. . . transporting us to a subterranean club of feel-good music.
The dance vibes continued with lesser known 'Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)' cut 'Fogma' whipping us into a disco-fulled grimy rave, the love for the band mingling into the crowd as punters seemingly morphed into a giant caterpillar, bouncing with arms raised as one entity.
Next was a medley featuring the sublime 'My Friend' melded to another 'Soundboy Rock' classic, 'Song 4 Mutya (Out Of Control)' generating more crowd sing-alongs as the joy meter was close to lifting the roof off the venue.
The set's most recent offering was the title track from 2020 album 'Edge Of The Horizon'; although their most contemporary song heard during the show it again showcased Groove Armada's ability to create soundscapes that can stand alongside their classic numbers from 10-20 years prior.
'Paper Romance' was next, the biggest hit from GA's 2010 'Black Light' provoking a venue-wide karaoke session, with the utter pleasure of fans plastered on exuberant, beaming faces.
2003 album 'Lovebox' didn't feature as heavily as this reviewer had hoped, so when 'Easy' arrived with its shiny disco club remix I was in my own personal seventh heaven.
A couple more 'Soundboy Rock' numbers followed – 'Lightsonic' and 'Love Sweet Sound' – maintaining the hectic pace; I happened to be at the bar (again) when the opening refrain of 'I See You Baby' catapulted hands into the air with booties shaken with a ferocity.
This also heralded a number of 'older' classics to enter the fray with 'Vertigo' banger 'Chicago' and the iconic 'Superstylin' from 'Goodbye Country (Hello Night-club)' mashed together for the closing number (prior to the obligatory encore).
By the time the horns on 'Superstylin' emerged across the speakers, the dance-floor was all but a rambunctious, heaving mass of humanity.
Another 'Vertigo' number, 'At The River' launched the encore its dusty, looping drums, gorgeous horns and cooing vocals giving the audience another sing-along moment. Groove Armada again mashed together another of their hits as 'At The River' melded seamlessly with 'Cards To Your Heart' (from 'Black Light').
'Soundboy Rock' number 'Get Down' was next and the crowd did exactly that, managing to source more energy to keep their dancing feet active before a reprise of 'Superstylin' ended the night on a euphoric high.
Andy Cato on the horns for 'Superstylin' as the song (and set) came to a climaxing end activated goosebumps and the cheering that ensured didn't show any sign of letting up even as the band deserted the stage.
As a devoted 'Lovebox' fan (it's in my Top 5 albums of all time), I admit to being slightly disappointed to only have one song off that record performed (a smooth yet scintillating rendition of 'Easy'), especially considering the album's 20th anniversary next year.
However, that disappointment highlights just how many bangers Groove Armada have birthed over the years from nine studio albums, and judging from the ear-to-ear grins and saturated shirts of those in the crowd (who didn't want to depart, instead reminiscing with their mates and new buds) Groove Armada can tour Australia anytime they wish and expect a loving audience to show up. I know I will.
