By Chris Moriates
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
It was an attack on the senses: the music was loud, the lights
bright, the videos engaging and the dancing infectious.
Basement Jaxx brought their exciting live club show to Los
Angeles last Tuesday, performing two sets at the Mayan Theatre. The
decent-sized club was packed full and the dance music made it
impossible to stand still. Hell, even the security guards were seen
bobbing their heads a little.
The Mayan Theatre looks like a Disneyland attraction; entering
it feels like entering the Indiana Jones building instead of a bar.
The atmosphere provided a cool escape, bringing the crowd into a
different world where the music of the inventive Basement Jaxx
existed.
The night opened with a stripped-down performance by Ugly
Duckling. The lights were kept low and the production was quite
limited ““ but that was the point. When Basement Jaxx entered
the stage with videos, a full light show and a compelling mix of
music it contrasted brilliantly with the low key opening
performance.
Although Basement Jaxx, Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe,
remained behind their elaborate setup of turntables, mixers,
computers, keyboards and other digital gadgetry, they brought out
an array of singers, rappers, dancers and drummers to perform
center stage for the crowd.
Buxton came out to sing a song and Ratcliffe even emerged in
front of the knobs and buttons to play guitar for two of the
tunes.
Basement Jaxx performed through songs from their newest album
“Rooty,” but also included much older pieces from their
long career.
The club was one big dance floor, although the place was so
crowded that there was barely enough room to dance. Basement Jaxx
destroyed the myth that live electronic music is detached and
brought a sense of showmanship to the Mayan.
With arms waving in the air and bootie shaking all around, the
Mayan Theatre enjoyed the blend of dance music that was provided by
the two nice British gentleman.