One of the most anticipated events of this year's Fringe fest was overshadowed by the messiness of conflicting rumours beforehand - "Oh, it’s been pushed back to Sunday night! In the Olympia!" - but the gig went ahead in its original venue on its intended day, but without a liquor licence. Not that this seemed to effect the crowd any over the course of the gig, as they left for one of the local pubs, shotgunned their drinks and then ran back to the concert as fast as their drunken legs would allow.

Being touted as a "3D gig" might've been a little disingenuous, as everyone who arrived was given a pair of old-school red and blue 3D glasses, and there was indeed a 3D visuals screen going on behind the band on stage. 

Gates opened a little after 9, but the band themselves didn't hit the stage til 10.30pm, and were off stage again a little after 11.30pm. A short, sharp blast, but a blast nonetheless, knocking out one great song after another. "Heart 2 Heart" is the best song Hot Chip never made, "Gotta Go" belongs on the Drive soundtrack, "Heat City" still sounds like the score to an early 80’s Arnie movie, "The Nightcaller" is the perfect Ibiza, hands-in-the-air trance anthem… no two songs sound the same, but they all worked together as a perfectly cohesive whole. Also in the mix was their new tune "What, Us?", which from the reaction of the listeners, should become an instant fan favorite.

Closing the gig with arguably their most popular song, "Love System" was a perfect cap to the set, sending the crowd into a lovey-dovey overdrive. Of course the night was ended with the now obligatory theme tune to Jurassic Park, and then it was time to go.

The band members seemed genuinely overwhelmed by the crowd's response, and the absolutely packed out square didn't let up on the energy once. After being one of the highlights of this year's Electric Picnic, and now this, we can’t wait to see what Le Galaxie get up to next.


Review by
Rory Cashin