Music > Live Reviews

Jo Whiley - 90's Anthems

The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA

10/06/19

Personally, owing to family demands, much of the 90's music I did not engage with too closely, aware of the tracks but more as a background in my life at that time. Clearly not the case with the 100's of local folk who came listen to Jo Whiley's track choice.

Her opening track was Hey Boy Hey Girl, which was great..... “superstar DJ.... here we go!” Genius start to her set!

The atmosphere from the beginning was warm and had a great vibe. Once Jo Whiley came on to DJ, the set started with scenes from the film Trainspotting, with a young Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlise, Obviously with suitable accompanying tracks. This set the scene for the evening

The night carried on with the occasional word from Jo, and followed by some banging tracks. The whole sense of simple enjoyment was maintained with virtually everyone in the venue moving and dancing enthusiastically to the tunes played. Intermittently there where balloons, reminiscent of space hoppers, tossed into the audience, some suffering the fate of meeting the hot spotlights. The dancing Carried on relentlessly and I would say there was continual dance action for the two hours of the set. Tracks rained on the crowd such as. 

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit 

Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name of

The Source and Candi Staton - You Got the Love

Prodigy - Firestarter

Faithless - Insomnia

Primal Scream - Rocks

Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl

James - Sit Down 

Reef - Place Your Hands

The Wannadies - You and Me Song

The party atmosphere continued with further light blasts, streamers firing from the ceiling, and a paper parade to make the best New York parade proud. Each event met with cheers and increased tempo of dancing

I was so taken by the genuinely happy environment, and smiling faces everywhere you looked. It certainly identified a strong audience for such a night. For many I am sure it provided a reminder of years gone by pre-children and life responsibilities. I saw a bubble of escapism as the night was danced away. The Power of Music, long may it continue