Groove Armada - Say farewell at the Siren Festival

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Groove Armada get Bristol dancing one more time

Groove Armada have been on the scene for twenty five years now as a live act, sadly this year they have said they will not tour as a live act anymore. So, one last time to enjoy the wide variety of tunes they have graced us, and various adverts with some degree of controversy at times, with over the years. Apparently, Tom Cato, the lead man is now residing in France most of the time as a farmer, must be something in it with bands that started in the 90's with Alex James (Blur) having moved into cheese farming too.

Opening number is ‘Look me in the eye Sister’ with their soulful singer taking centre stage. Only to be replace by a different singer, Saint Saviour, for next track ‘I won't Kneel’. I’ve always found it quite interesting with Groove Armada that the guys who created the tunes almost giving up the centre stage to their singers, but the joy is in hearing the music and seeing people bouncing for them. Also, it’s hard not to give up centre stage with such a theatrical singer with almost Kate Bush like movements.

Next up it’s the third vocalist in three songs as another long-time collaborator in, their only male Singer / MC, Mike Daniels enters the stage. All three will rotate throughout the evening on the songs that suit them the best this time Mike is on for ‘Fogma’. Most of the crowd didn’t really arrive until Groove Armada took the stage but the place is packed now “hands in the air” is the call to arms as they join the feet as everyone seems to be jumping to the beats.

Groove Armada maybe doing their last live tour, but previously they wrote a tune for somebody about to go back on tour with ‘Song 4 Mutya’ they created with the Mutya (Sugababes) after she originally left that band. The original line up is back in Bristol in October, we seem to keep going back to those 90s bands. But that is not saying Groove Armada are in the past or anything of the sort, they have this whole place in the palm of their hand even a sizeable crowd sitting on the opposite side of the river getting a free listen. This is the more stripped back of ‘Song 4 Mutya’ that only uses some of the original vocals, but all of the energy that made it a bit of a classic tune.

Every track seems to have a different light show for example during ‘Easy’ the stage was lit up like an upside-down disco ball. They certainly make entertaining a sizeable crowd “looking like it was easy”. Soon we had probably the couple of tunes they are most known for in the wider public with ‘I see you Baby’… more know perhaps for next line “shakin that ass” only one possible dance move to that one, sorry if it wasn’t a pretty sight for anybody behind me. That was followed by chilled out number ‘At the River’ in probably one of the most fitting locations for it, with the Avon being about 10 foot behind Tom as he played that unmistakable trombone part.

All good things must come to an end, with a double one for tonight in that the final song will probably be the last time we get to see this band live. With a show like this, it’s a shame they have called time on it as it would have been good to see it many more times over. Hopefully it won’t be the last we hear of the Groove Armada brand. For those that know them only one song could end the night as Mike Daniels returned for ‘Superstylin’ and that amazing drop. It’s been while since I think I have seen 3000 bounce in perfect synchronicity but what a sight it is. A wonderful start also to the new Siren Festival, look forward to seeing what they have in store for next year after a start like this.

Review by Jon Cooper and Photos by Steve Owen (Icarus Photography)

Groove Armada - Setlist
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The Girls Say
Look me in the eye Sister
I won't Kneel
Fogma
My Friend
Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)
Edge of the Horizon
Paper Romance
Easy
Lightsonic
Love sweet Sound
I see you Baby
Get Down
At the River
Cards to your Heart
Chicago
Superstylin'

Check Out! the Video for 'I see You' Feat. Gramma Funk (Fatboy Slim Remix Uncensored) Below...