Hot Chip returned to The Warehouse Project for an unforgettable rave which they not only headlined but also curated.
The alternative synth band, who’d previously played the Warehouse Project back in 2013 with Chic and Nile Rodgers, took to the stage at Depot Mayfield around midnight with the crowd more than ready for the floor thanks to their brilliant support. Earlier in the evening, the audience were treated to DJ sets from Tarzsa and Sofia Kourtesis.
When Alexis Taylor strolled on to the stage, wearing a hoodie and shorts, Hot Chip opened with songs from their most recent album Freakout/Release - which came out in 2022. Down and Eleanor sandwiched long established crowd favourite Flutes.
Read more: Editors deliver an unforgettable synth rave during sold out Manchester Academy show
Eight albums in, putting a set together can present challenges but on Friday evening Hot Chip struck the right balance. There were offerings from their recent acclaimed work with a notable nod to 2019 album A Bath Full of Ecstasy as well enough hits to keep the Inbetweeners generation present more than satisfied.
Such is the quality of Hot Chip’s back catalogue they had the confidence, at home in their Depot Mayfield lair, to give their adoring audience Ready for The Floor and Boy From School midway through their brisk electro set. While many in the crowd tried, none could match Taylor’s delicately high-pitched vocals.
Bandmate Joe Goddard, also known for his work with The 2 Bears and solo material, expressed his pleasure at just how many Hot Chip devotees had chosen to join them for the Friday evening electro synth rave. He then took the lead on the house-infused Hungry Child.
Looking at the stage, there was a strong sense the band, playing their first UK show of the year, were having as much fun as those who’d packed out Depot Mayfield. Throughout, there were moments of dedicated appreciation for their fans.
The set initially concluded with Over and Over with many trying their best to remember that number’s mid-song spelling bee and sing along with Hot Chip. Lots hopelessly, yet endearingly, got it wrong getting rather muddled in the process.
I Feel Better concluded a two-song encore of a set which certainly left many wanting more. The positive thing for those with the energy to dance a little longer came courtesy of Hot Chip scheduling Todd Terje to take those who remained at the venue through to 4am.
One thing is for certain, Hot Chip know how to throw a party.
Setlist
- Down
- Flutes
- Eleanor
- One Life Stand
- And I Was a Boy From School
- Freakout/Release
- Night & Day
- Hard to Be Funky
- Broken
- Hungry Child
- Ready for the Floor
- Straight to the Morning
- Melody of Love
- Miss the Bliss
- Over and Over
Encore
- Huarache Lights
- I Feel Better
Read next:
- Two Door Cinema Club to headline huge outdoor Manchester gig
- Johnny Marr helps 12-year-old fulfil his dreams
- Gigs that helped us through a cold, dark January in Manchester
- Manchester's Co-op Live arena bosses respond after being told to 'step up'
- Review: The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry at Manchester AO Arena
