SBTRKT @ Audio, Brighton 5th October 2011

Sometimes artists who wear masks do so to distract you from the music. Sometimes artists who wear masks do so to create a persona of anonymity which lets the music speak for it self. The latter being SBTRKT.  London DJ and producer SBTRKT also known as Aaron Jerome knows how to get an audience dancing with his soulful vocals layered over post-dubstep and tribal like beats.  Tonight’s gig is at Audio, one of Brighton’s top music venues especially for electro and dance music. It’s a typical small ‘clubbers’ club. With the gigs held in the basement, there’s a dark, intimate atmosphere. The size of this venue allows you to get as close to your idols as possible and immerse yourself in every part of the performance.  With a new club night being launched after the gig this was just the beginning of the night for most of the audience although you could tell by looking around this was a room full of fans only.   As the performance starts and the strobe lights come on they reflect that of the colourful trademark mask the man who emerges from behind the decks is wearing. The set starts off with a few albums tracks which automatically get the crowd moving. Every track is different but full of energy which contributes towards the atmosphere within tonight’s audience.  This energy from the audience continues to stay constant as SBTRKT mixes his way through his own tracks and remixes. The catchy rhythms and electronic beats are covered with smooth vocals which compliment without dominating.  The audience continue to sing along to every word and move to every beat.  After around 45 minutes of build up the set then comes to a climax with SBTRKT playing his two biggest singles to date Wildfire and Pharaohs. With the help of Sampha on vocals on both these tracks the energy levels of the audience implode and there is not one person in the room not dancing.  The night then ends with SBTRKT giving the audience a polite thank you and smiling behind his mask as he gives his fans high fives. He then walks off stage safe in the knowledge that with his songs, every one in the room is now fully prepared for what the rest of the night has to bring.