Show Review: Chase & Status Live at The O2

On a day in London where the weather teased the possibility of a long summer, thousands headed to The O2 in anticipation for drum and bass behemoths Chase & Status. 4AM Kru opened with a solid set, imposing their dynamism with live triggering of samples rather than just playing a mix from decks. The breakbeats were out in full force here.

Chase & Status played with a drummer that added a layer of liveness. After the support’s set, the crew began setting up and the drums were revealed; a serious kit with a multitude of cymbals and an extra bass drum – evoking percussionists from stadium rock and metal bands. It is not surprising that there is a big crossover with metalheads and drum and bass. The sonic aesthetic is comparable; distortion, speed, and in-your-face-ness. Rock n Roll is dead, so the people say, but its traces permeate for sure.

Another moment that inferred rockism was the second tune they played: ‘Selecta (feat. Stefflon Don)’, the opener of their brilliant 2023 tape 2 RUFF, Vol. 1. Chase appeared with an electric guitar, strumming out the tunes thick, octave-doubled riff.  After this IRAH came out for ‘Censor’ with his addition being welcome at various other points in the set such as ‘Gunfinger (Salute)’, their ‘Original Nuttah 25’ remix, and ‘Program’.

Next was ‘Cigarettes and Liquor’ with special guest ArrDee, who scampered around the stage with a furious energy. At this point, it was hard to tell whether attendees nearer the front were moshing or frantically bouncing from foot to foot. Next was ‘Count on Me’ with Moko; a nice piano-house departure from the higher BPM stuff. Regardless of the tempo drop, the crowd enthusiastically basked in Moko’s soulful voice.

After blasting through ‘Time’ and ‘Hold your Ground’, a giant singalong ensued for ‘Disconnect (feat. Becky Hill)’. Although she wasn’t there in person, Hill’s vocals reverberated powerfully around the arena. After a stellar drum solo, they began playing the intro to ‘BACKBONE’ which caused many to shout “Stormzy’s coming out!” into their fellow concert-goer’s ear. He, sadly, did not. But it did not detract from the excellence of the wobbly sub-bassline.

Now well into the latter half of the set, they played a ‘No Problem’ VIP, with an initially deceptive four-to-the-floor drop to build tension for the one everyone knows and loves. This was followed by a well-timed dubstep moment that caught everyone off guard. ‘Baddadan’ saw grime legend Flowdan take the stage amongst others. It certainly feels now like ‘Baddadan’ sits as one of the greatest drum and bass songs. Yet, time will tell. The run of the last three songs truly showcased their greatness. ‘End Credits’ encapsulated the oxymoronic joy of being aware that something brilliant is ending. Liam Bailey came out for ‘Blind Faith’ with the crowd belting every word, and they ended on some real junglist, breakbeat vibes with the blistering ‘Program’. 

AXS and The O2’s website both listed the gig as sold-out. For a drum and bass act to be selling out the biggest indoor venue in the country is not only a testament to Chase & Status’ stellar discography, but to the genre as a whole. It has felt for a while as though drum and bass has become a mainstream form of dance music. Like house, long has it moved from the margins to a more central place in UK musical culture, despite its abrasiveness. This night laid that fact bare. 

Words by Charlie Edmondson