Following the success of his 4D laser show in London’s Millbank last year, Deadmau5 once again teamed up with Nokia for another light-themed gig, this time near London Bridge. Just 300 or so competition winners were invited along to the event, which saw an entire backstreet blocked off and local newsagents and cafes transformed into Nokia ‘Jazz Lounges’ and chillout areas. 8pm saw a hush over the crowd, now packed into a small square facing a railway bridge lined with boarded up shop fronts. With speakers playing distant cheering noises and helicopter effects, cameras were flashed around as people attempted to ascertain the masked-man’s whereabouts.
Soon enough however, the iconic mouse-helmet appeared, in spotlight, and kicked off a pounding set punctuated by flashing window frames, illuminated windows and multi-coloured street lamps.
Employing the use of magic, witchcraft or potentially a body double, Deadmau5 proceeded to jump onto the railings in front of the decks, entertaining the crowd with some vigorous pelvic thrusting, before suddenly appearing again, this time at street level, to continue playing. Finishing his set and acknowledging the crowd, helmet-less, with a “Jeez, it’s cold!” the man then disappeared amid a flurry of flashing lights and Nokia branded trucks encircling the square.
Illuminated-rodent based chaos then continued at Electric Brixton, where Deadmau5 proceeded to play a two hour set accompanied by fire, smoke, and completed with footage of his outdoor gig earlier playing in the background (which got seriously disorientating after a few drinks)
As gigs go, it was on the short side, but then again, a blocked off street with one of the world’s top DJs playing, shop fronts flashing purple, yellow and red with the Shard and the full moon in the background, followed by an afterparty at one of South London’s best venues isn’t bad, certainly for a Wednesday night!
