Show Review

Pictures

What else can I say, seeing Justice mix last night was absolutely incredible.

The French electronic duo were signed on the spot in 2003 by Daft Punk’s former manager, Pedro Winter – who runs the show at Ed Banger Record’s, the label behind the current revival of European techno and electronica. I was super excited about the night since Justice has been skyrocketing to international fame throughout the past year – so who knows when I’d ever get to see them again – or be able to afford it? I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see Daft Punk.

The event was moved last minute to The Trocadero, since the Starlight Ballroom was determined unsafe (a shooting occurred after a recent Starlight show…that’s Philly for you). From the towering wall of speakers and monstrous glowing cross, to le Francais swagger and cool-as-ice personas of DJ's Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Auge – the night was one to remember.

Blasting electronic house tracks from their critically-acclaimed album, "†" – as well as sampling the Klaxons' "Atlantis To Interzone" and Survivor's "Eye of The Tiger," among other mixes, Justice drove the dancing crowd rabid with delight. Though some people may take offense, I consider Justice’s cheeky use of Christian imagery and song titles (“Genesis”, “Let There Be Light” and “Waters of Nazareth”) as pretty ironic, as if they’re assuming the role of second coming – and with the way the crowd was acting, they might as well be.

The chain smoking duo ended the night with their hit Simian remix, "We Are Your Friends," before breaking out into a set of hypersonic speed metal. A perfect ending to a perfect night. The kids at Ed Banger Records have succeeded at making disco hip again.

review by Carolyn Brennan