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Groove Armada

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Hammersmith Palais

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Last mass shaking of ass

By David Smyth, Evening Standard  04.05.07
 
Groove Armada gave the Hammersmith Palais the farewell party it deserves

Groove Armada gave the Hammersmith Palais the farewell party it deserves

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The Hammersmith Palais has hosted rather a lot of "last" nights before the shabby venue is turned into flats. The supposed final gig, by the Fall a month ago, wasn't much of a send-off, so dance duo Groove Armada stepped in to give the old place the farewell party it deserves.

Tom Findlay and Andy Cato have long since banished from their live sets the chillout sounds that made them famous. An energetic live band and numerous guest vocalists kept the pace frantic.

Gallery: See more pictures from the gig here

The thunderous climax of funky Hendrix tribute Purple Haze sounded as if the demolition had already started.

The real reason for this show was not to say goodbye to the Palais but hello to a new album, Soundboy Rock, out on Monday. The unfamiliar songs aired here indicated another triumph, every track a euphoric blaze of sunshine that will make the summer just fly.

The influence of Jamaican dancehall was strong, with Get Down's elastic bassline and ragga chatter causing infectious movement right to the back of the room.

Most immediately loveable, though, was Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control), a pure pop song that needed a real pop star to sing it, former Sugababe Mutya Buena.

They closed with old favourite I See You Baby, prompting the last mass shaking of ass this venue will ever see. A sad night, but a fun one.

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Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

 

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Great great gig, as you say very fitting for the last gig of the Palais. A good way to launch the new album which I will definitely be buying. The band are so good at playing Dance Music, no other so called dance band can do that. Wish I was going again!

- Trish, London


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