Chase & Status Revel in the Rave at O2 Arena

Photo credit: Molly Johnson

Drum & Bass powerhouse duo, Chase & Status are renowned pioneers in the UK music industry who have carved out their own style, whilst consistently evolving with the times. Throughout their career, they have never lost their unique flair that separates them from their peers. On Saturday night, they put on a show, reinforcing to their fans that they are the real deal and deserve all the flowers they rightly get and more.

Growing up with Chase & Status as the soundtrack to many nights out, with their music either playing through the headphones or speakers, there was an itch to see them in real time. So, when an opportunity to see them at the iconic O2 arises, naturally one jumps at the chance.

Granted, high expectations were formed as many friends have said that they remain one of their top artists they have seen live. However, the expectations were also kept realistic, as the heavier raving days are somewhat in the past. Needless to say, that slight seed of doubt needn’t have been there.

Minutes before the headliners of the night take their place on stage, the audience is filled with a rumbling anticipation as the crowd can sense the shift in energy. Finally, the lights drop in the crowd, signalling the carnage to commence. The immediate eruption of cheers and applause fills the arena just before the first track, ‘Smash TV’, roars through the speakers.

With such longevity in the scene and a catalogue that includes so many hits, the set-list must be a tricky task for them to finalise. Naturally, not everybody is going to hear their favourite song played. However, they made sure to play a very generous amount of natural crowd favourites, mixing in the old and the new. One of the first songs they played was the hugely popular ‘Selecta’, which had the whole venue in a frenzy of delight, with people jumping up and down, letting loose, and more importantly, getting their 10,000 steps in. The duo charged through their set with a level of confidence and assertion that only years of experience can give you.

Photo credit: Amy Thorn

The first big surprise of the night was around four songs in when ArrDee stepped on stage to perform their collaboration ‘Liquor & Cigarettes’. The surprises didn’t stop there, with multiple guests stepping out to perform with them, a medley of some of their biggest hits, including Tom Grennan and Clementine Douglas. The energy from the duo and their guests was on a constant high, which carried through to the crowd. From the special guests to the lights to the use of pyrotechnics, a true show was put on at The O2.

Towards the end of the show, they really delved into some of their classics, including ‘End Credits’ and ‘Blind Faith’, where powerhouse vocalist Liam Bailey joined them live, to a rapturous audience.

All in all, the show was a true example of why they have constantly been at the top of their game throughout the years. After the show, the crowd was buzzing with the sound of punters revelling in how much fun they had and going over which songs were their personal highlights. If you ever get a chance to see them live in concert, don’t pass up the opportunity.

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