The Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
12/12/23
On a wet damp December night, Django Django dropped into Edinburgh on their UK tour for their only performance in Scotland. This four-piece, multi-talented band were sure to warm a few cockles on the cold audience awaiting their arrival on stage. Packed in like sardines in a pull ring tin, the Liquid Rooms was awash with fans old and new. Django Django have built up and maintained a renowned reputation to be a high octane band, and their live gigs are an electrifying experience, this was one I just had to see!
Hailing from London, the four members originally met at the Edinburgh College of Arts, thus forming the pathway to creating Django Django back in 2009. Since their self-titled debut album in 2012, he band have released five studio albums, the latest being the new album “Off Planet” released in June 2023. Like their music, the band is a mix of North and South. David Maclean ( Drummer & Producer) is Scottish, Jimmy Dixon ( Bassist) is from Yorkshire, while Vincent Neff ( Singer & Guitarist) is from Northen Ireland and with Tommy Grace ( synthesizer ) also coming from Scotland.
David Maclean comes from a background of musicians and this can be seen in his production within the band. Their back catalogue of songs like ” Black Cadillac” , “Waveforms” which is featured in Grand Theft Auto V game, ” Default ” “Hail bop” and “Storm” propelled them to a well deserved critical acclaim for their musical genius. It seemed like it was upwards and onwards for Django Django.
Supporting local music venues and live bands is more important now then ever, with many venues hitting unprecedented difficulties it was a joy to see the Liquid Rooms at near full capacity on miserable damp Tuesday evening. Commanding the stage instantly, Django Django started out on a calm note, which I am sure was a disguise to what was to come.
With a clean white dress code, that any Daz or Ariel advert would be proud off and with the added eye catching flower and Panther designs, their shirts were hitting the style scene as much as their music was. I have never personally liked to compare artists and their music but everyone has been influenced at some point in their career by someone or some band and Django Django are no different. I myself could see sprinklings of Franz Ferdinand , Hot Chip, Groove Armada , Daft Punk and Devo creeping into their music. A fusion of dance, rock, electro, and unique drumming throw up a concoction of awesome beats.
As a collective Django Django are a tight and powerful band as the second part of their set proved to be. Like a game of two half’s, the latter part of the gig was loud and chaotic , in the best possible way. Swapping instruments, like they were swapping football cards in a school playground, their musical talents were clear and obvious to see. A band that have crafted the art of applying themselves to every instrument available to them and doing it in style. Django Django are a strong energetic outfit that deliver an awesome and memorable live show which in turn leaves you upbeat and satisfied with what you have just witnessed. Happy Days all around….
Raymond Speedie
Mumble Music 