Review: Fabio & Grooverider, Lloyds Amphitheatre – ‘A very special show’

After 30 years of steering the Drum and Bass scene from its early roots to the worldwide following that we have now, Fabio and Grooverider bring their orchestral rendition of much-loved classics to Bristol’s harbourside.

Quite rightly so, for Bristol is regarded as one of the homes of Drum and Bass, arguably the home according to some.

Nonetheless the often-cited Godfathers of DnB celebrate this recognition by gracing us with a very special show, which has so far always sold-out.

The 40-piece Outlook Orchestra has previously worked with some of dance music’s luminaries such as David Rodigan and Mala, they include two drummers and an extended rhythm section plus large string and horn sections.

The question on most people’s minds, can an orchestra give the us the low bass, pads, stabs and breakbeats that electronic equipment has provided in studios over the past 30 years?

The answer is a resounding yes. Watch out for the bass & tuba combo hitting you with bassline wobbles like never before!

Prior to the main show we were treated to a celebration of Bristol talent both old and new.

Enada started the night, she is a local DJ gaining a rep further afield, a purveyor in all things 140.

She is also the mind behind Dynamics: a growing database and platform that celebrates female, female-identifying and non-binary artists in dubstep and drum & bass.

Area two was hosted by none other than Intrigue Music, a Bristol institution of DnB music with a club night 20 years old and a label 14 years strong, it is no wonder they were invited to accompany this special show.

Label boss and owner Ben started off proceedings under his production moniker, Mosaic.

Mosaic have hit the DnB world in recent years appearing on some notable labels such as 31 Records and Dispatch, and whipped up the early crowd.

Ben Soundscape and Collette Warren followed up with a signature set, the duo have been hitting crowds with their DJ- vocalist show for the past few years and have just returned from a successful U.S tour.

They showcased a slew of unreleased dubs and exclusive forthcoming tracks from Intrigue Music featuring both local artists and worldwide talent.

For those who don’t know, get to know, both Ben & Collette have been pillars of this scene for a long time. From the subby energy of Break’s Release Me to a grimy remix of Bou’s Veteran the duo drew an eager crowd before hitting us with a classic, Take Me Away by Chase and Status.

You can see that they know what works on a dancefloor!

Back on the main stage was Gardna, this man has been a bit of an underground phenomenon in the last few years, being talked about in music circles, interviews and articles,  it is easy to understand why.

The MC has graced many a rave, with his own live shows and guest mixes with fellow DJ Kreed, resulting in 2022’s BBC Radio 1 Mini Mix of the Year 2022 and a Radio 1 Dance Award Winner.

Bristol’s own Gardna provided a great warm up to the evening. photo: Darren C Photography

Mash ups of bassline house, garage, jungle and DnB classics peppered with bars from this new breed MC. He finished us off with a new release out next week, bound to get the summer crowds hyper!

7pm provided a tough choice for fans. On the second stage Japan’s Makoto provided the energy, uplifting, soulful sounds that only he could conjure, another producer that first appeared in the late 90’s featuring heavily on legendary Good Looking Records.

Makoto has continued his stellar career with several albums on Hospital Records. His tracks are instantly recognisable, lots of Amen breaks, bright synths and deep subs provided the back drop to tracks such as Show Me, Spread Love and the recent release by DJ Marky feat Solah, Poetry.

I was lucky enough to chat to the legendary DJ Marky, who was dancing around at the side of the stage to his track which is part of his new album on Shogun Audio, do check it out!

He was in town with Makoto ahead of his set at Hospitality on the Harbour.

Meanwhile on the main stage local legend Roni Size and Dynamite MC gave us a lesson in breaks and bass proving that they are still very much present on the scene. Roni gave us a brief nod to some classics whilst treating us to his selection of unreleased tracks.

Contrary to the sometimes blissed out jazzy grooves of that famous New Forms LP, the vibe of his music sets have since been synth laden, high energy and definitely for the dance floor. Dynamite picked up the crowd with his effortless style and clearly spoken rhymes.

Roni Size & Dynamite MC prove why they’re still some of the best in the business. photo: Darren C Photography

We were hit with a hypersonic assault with many twists and turns including a remix of Groove Armada’s Superstylin, Dynamite told us “ We got classics” and Roni dropped The Helicopter Tune followed by a remix of Bigger Than Hip Hop complete with a huge breakdown and build-up before another remixed retro classic, Dawn Penn’s No,no,no, only to be topped off with a return to modern high energy bangers.

The crowd loved it, a perfect way to bring the party to feverish levels.

It’s no surprise that David Rodigan features on this line-up, the DJ and radio host has a similar pedigree to the headliners and although he has been a pillar behind Reggae and Dub music, there is quite rightly the recognition that DnB owes much of its origins and influence on the Soundsystem culture synonymous with that music.

This gave us a chance to rock and skank to influential sounds and you could see that the crowd was appreciative of the roots lesson provided.

Rodigan filled the arena with old hits and new mixes. photo: Darren C Photography

On the Intrigue stage DJ Flight represented Radio 1 Xtra with her expert selection showing why she has been at the forefront of DnB pushing the sounds to national audiences for a long time now.

The crowd filled out the area, getting down to a melee of dancefloor smashes including Marcus Intalex Temperance. This was an impressive set, as tune after tune hit the spot and she had us in the palm of her hands.

Time for the main event, the crowd was eager to hear the foundations of DnB and Jungle music played by a talented orchestra. So many tunes to choose from, how can they possibly pack it all in?

Fabio & Grooverider started the set introducing The Outlook Orchestra.

Reminding us that “this was something special that we wouldn’t see anywhere else” during the first round of tunes including Jonny L Hurt You So, Lenny De Ice We Are IE we heard the percussion section working their breakbeat muscles but not much in the way of strings.

When Q Project’s Champion Sound dropped the famous stabs where perfectly captured by the brass section.

Fabio introduced the next round of tracks saying “They’ve been saying London is the capital of DnB, it’s a lie” before we passed through LTJ Bukem’s majestic Horizon where we could now hear the string,

Brass and wood section recreate the beautiful pads, Alex Reece Pulp Fiction gave them a chance to show off the horn section for the signature melody, MC GQ ever present on the mic duties to whip up the crowd.

Legendary singer Cleveland Watkiss joined us on stage to sing Grooverider’s Charade not as well known by many but an underground classic which took many years to be released.

The piano has its centre stage for the intro and main melody to DJ SS Lighter, the string staccatos capturing the accentuated notes to perfect effect, lighters in the air all round!

Jenna G performed the Marcus Intalex & ST Files, Midnight where the brass section put their horns up in the air for that catchy rhythm which helped to bring soulful DnB to dancefloors in 2000.

A great surprise to many was the live rendition of Original Nuttah by UK Apache, the crowd loved this, everyone chanting along to “no, no, no, no, no, no”.

Kele Le Roc gave a passionate performance reaching the high notes required for Chase and Status’ Take Me Away.

More classics came by the DJ Zinc remix of The Fugees Ready or Not and DJ Hazard Bricks Don’t Roll before Fabio and Grooverider thanked everyone on the night.

We were treated to Jenna G singing Still in Love by Chase and Status, a euphoric height to an all-round beautiful performance showcasing the musical diversity and heritage of the genre.

The crowd clearly appreciated the show with a long rapture for the performers. This was an excellent gig with a lot of content for the ticket price, if you do get the chance to witness this historic show, I highly recommend it.

Main photo: Darren C Photography

Read next:

• Review: Sean Paul, Lloyds Amphitheatre – ‘We were transported straight back to the noughties’
• Review: Siren, Lloyd’s Amphitheatre – ‘Mashing dub vocals and skipping bassline house, they shook the floor’
• Review: King Princess, Marble Factory – ‘She has become a queer icon’

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