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The Crack Magazine

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Faithless at O2 City Hall

Faithless’ legacy spans almost three decades, yet their timeless hits are still common fixtures on the playlists of today’s clubs. This means their fanbase is very mixed, ranging from those who were cutting about the dance scene when Faithless first burst onto it, to a younger generation of clubbers who are carrying the band’s legacy into a new era of music, thanks to a recent string of hits with vocalists Amelia Fox and Nathan Ball. Led by the icon that is Sister Bliss, the energy didn’t drop for a moment once the band took to the stage. A pulsating dream of light and sound enveloped the venue, with the colourful animations on the screen matching the euphoric vibrancy of the music. Live instrumentation accompanying an electronic set is quite rare these days, but it really does add a whole new dimension to the sound. The vocals of Fox and Ball are simultaneously powerful and mellow; they weave in with the music rather than overpowering it. Considering Sister Bliss is the only original member of the band, they’ve done an incredible job of curating musicians that feel authentic to Faithless, yet add something fresh. Of course, one notable absence was Maxi Jazz, who sadly passed away just under two years ago. It never felt like there was an attempt to fill this empty space; on the contrary, it was illuminated as his figure was projected onto the screen to deliver his legendary lines. It was a beautiful tribute that really kept his spirit alive in the room, making the experience of hearing tracks like ‘Insomnia’ and ‘God is a DJ’ live even more special. As the gig came to a close, Sister Bliss addressed the audience and said “We live in a world of division, but in this room tonight we truly have become one.” This truly encapsulates the mood of the night - a unity of people from all walks of life through the medium of music.

Leanna Thomson

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