I like the new material very much, but I feel the live show was better when I saw it in sept 99. There was much more video AND computer animation that was synched to the whole show.

Saw the hammerstein show and WAY too many strobe lights going on this time and not enough video. Some cool point like when they were going through greek ruins etc, but the ENTIRE show was like that in 99. Seemed more of like a rave vibe this time, whereas there was something extremely unique to the live show in the past

heard some other older fan bitching on the way out, but more about the lack of old tunes. I however like the new stuff a lot. The lights and visuals were seriously lacking compared to shows from the past

My sig disagrees with you, though I do respect your opinion.

The visuals are lacking??????? WHAT??? hahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, you're wrong. Thanks for posting though.

I've seem them in 4 eras (Surrender, CWU, PTB, WATN) and I can't say one "full set" was better than any other.

From the CWU era, I will never forget the transition into Out of Control, where they raised their little round screen to the ceiling and the curtain dropped to reveal white noise across the whole back of the stage. That was monster.

It seems like they "shift" schemes from songs. Hey Boy Hey Girl at this years shows reminds me of Get Yourself High from years past (the green lasers).

I see what you are saying about it being more "rave-y", but I welcome the change. Their shows are always superb, and I appreciate how each tour has its own feel. Keeps things fresh.

I can see your point keef and it's all a matter of preference and I can respect your opinion - but that older fan you heard bitching on the way out should realize it's not 1999 anymore. Times change, so do we and why should Tom and Ed stay the same. Also, last time I checked the Chemical Brothers were touring to promote We Are The Night, not Surrender- so I really don't get why people expect them to do up their entire set of primarily older songs. Them bringing back Block Rockin' Beats, Chemical Beats and keeping concert favorites like Star Guitar and such does show the Chems are aware their previous material is still relevant. But it's 2007, We Are The Night is being promoted, and that's that. Oh well. I guess you win some and lose some...

Yeah that was cool with the sound system and all the bass with his crepy voice.

Dont get me wrong they did not let me down musically. I downloaded the recording and it is a really good show musically. I love how the songs are different live and have different things going on and different effects etc.

Just TOO MANT STOBES AND FLASHING. I liked the real video(camera footage) and the animation that made it seem like they were flying in space.

My Girlfriend and I also felt the vibe was a little weird at the show. May have been the venue and all or the NY crowd. Been to about 80 Phish shows since the last time I saw the chems so am more used to hippy vibe. But I have been to plenty of raves where people were more chill than a lot of the people at the hammerstein show. Tight venue for sure

How was the vibe at Brooklyn?

Apostle, Ditto.

apostle, I welcome any changes too - music wise, visuals wise and vibe wise. I'm looking forward to lasers!! If anything the more rave-y feel is keepin' it real. When I go to their shows, I've come to rave really. Get my move on.

I can't tell you how the vibe in Brooklyn was, because my ears were ringing, my eyes were fried, my body ached and I only had one working leg. Luckily, it was the one I worked the accelerater/brakes with for the drive home :) Best concert EVER!!

I wasn't feeling the vibe in Brooklyn. Then again I have never been too keen on the crowd at McCarren Pool Park. The vibe at McCarren was kind of blah where I was dancing. And at times it seemed like I was the only one actually getting down. I was wondering if these people had a pulse or even liked the Brothers. There was these dudes from the UK that showed up behind me and the whole show all they tried to do was pick up these chicks, asking them where they worked and if they had a facebook, during a CHEMS SHOW?!? WTF? Shut up and dance you fool...ugh...anyway, I still stand by my thoughts that Hammerstein this year was the most fun I have ever had at a Chems show during my 8 years of seeing them live!

Edit - to Whirly - I agree, when I was younger, I went to shows and was too self conscious to completely enjoy myself. Nowadays, I want the full package, and Hammerstein did it for me.

Fun aside - I went with 3 newbies to their first show, some comments:

"Believe was a spiritual experience"

"I want to hear Star Guitar right before I die"

"I can't move anymore"

yeah chemical beats was awesome and I can respect the evolving nature of the of a live show and the music in general.

I didnt care that there was not a ton of old stuff. I guess mainly feel there was tons of stobes and blinders(flash and trash in the lighting industry) and the lasers may have been a little over done(but VERY cool for the most part...especially from the 1st mezz where I retreated from the packed floor).

Its just the visuals seemed to tell a story in 99 and were an integral part of the music. Like what I imagine when I listen to the Chems.

def liked the greek or roman ruins and the space look for some of the stuff towards the end

Yeah, I can see how strobes and lasers can be a bit much for some people especially if you're up real close to where it's all going down. My husband's sister got a splitting migraine when we saw them during Come With Us, so she had step away for most of the show. Definitely not for the faint of heart, migraine sufferers, or epileptics for that matter!

its all good. Definitely still a good show but just different. The lights and lasers seemed to be as much a part as the visuals or like 40% as opposed to video being 80% and lights 20% back in the day...with no lasers

Not bad just maybe overused SLIGHTLY. Again not criticizing or bitching, just my .02

I don't buy it.

It's like the 60's, 'If you can remember it, you weren't there'

If you can remember a set from 9 years ago in such detail, I don't believe you were there.

androidgeoff... your sig makes me laugh every time. Nice one!

The Chemical Brothers have always been pretty cutting edge with production values from my knowledge. The LED curtains they (and i think Beastie Boys) brought on their last BDO tour were amazing. The current transparent ones look beautiful with the backlighting ive seen on some youtube footage given it a unique depth of field effect.

Their visuals are very inspiring. In my own act we have analyzed the DVD and live footage like crazy and some of what we do is a direct inspiration from what we have seen and experienced. At the moment we are preparing to commit to some very interesting Arduino/Processing programming to build upon the midi synchronised stuff, so we can ultimately do things like the visuals to Saturate, except completely generative and synched. Thanks again to CB's leading the way with beautiful vis ideas!

As for the too many strobes thing... well i cant comment as I'm in Australia and my recent viewing has only been youtubing. I love the use of complete darkness as well, like the break in some footage of The Sunshine Underground. Not everyone agrees about what good lighting is and I'm definitely one on the side of strobe love. As long as its referencing the music, like a peak or crescendo, then lay it on me!!!

Anyway, feedback is feedback whether we agree or not. I've got until March until i can validate any of this with my own responses to the set in Sydney :)

Video??? We're there to dance and jump around!! And NOT to stare at video.... Bring on the strobes and lasers man and fuck the video! I think it was a great mixture of lights and video at my recent chemical brothers shows. I really loved the visuals... But they still don't come close to daft punk...!

1. 
   

   makeskidskill wrote:
   
   I don't buy it.

   
   

   It's like the 60's, 'If you can remember it, you weren't there'

   
   

   If you can remember a set from 9 years ago in such detail, I don't believe you were there.
   
   
   

   
   

I can remember, not as clearly being 9 years later - but then you know, I rarely forget a lot of things. ;)

That's why I like readin reviews and like writing reviews, it all takes me back.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=gJgPRtMr5Gc

If you don't agree that this is the best use of lasers/audio/video in the world, you are faggot.

I love the instant lifestyle assessment that MX rains upon thee.

I would have said it first, but I've been un-well.