Tom Talks #20: TS7 Live, Birmingham (2 Power Outs and 1 Electric Performance)

 

Artist: TS7 (Support from Tom Shorterz)

Genre: UK Bass/House

Venue: Lab 11 

Location: Digbeth, Birmingham

Hi guys and welcome back to Tom Talks and today we're doing something a little different.... A CONCERT REVIEW! Yes, I have finally been to my first music event of 2022 to see the brand new live show by the big bad TS7.

As a new type of event for a rave setting, involving live instruments and a bit more insight into how tunes by Mr. Thomas Sampson were made, my interest was perked for this showcase. It felt more like a live concert than a rave and that feeling was extended by a more intimate room in Lab 11 being used. (a part of the venue I had never previously been to or seen)

The night kicked off with two DJ sets, including one from Tom Shorterz, playing a variety of genres including Speed Garage and some House classics. This started off the night with some bangers and got the crowd in the mood.

But when TS7 arrived, you could tell that everyone was ready and they bobbed up and down throughout the set, showing the enthusiasm and passion you expect at a rave. And boy did he deliver, playing some of his own bangers like the euphoric 'Skanker' and unreleased tracks that I will be adding to my playlist, as soon as they're available.

In particular, I was impressed by his playing of what appeared to be an electronic xylophone on tracks such as his remix of the Robin S classic 'Show Me Love,' alongside his use of a keyboard and a Drum pad. It gave us a great insight into how he made his music and was a nice touch, for someone who is interested in the process of making music.

We also got plenty of other reworkings of massive dance hits like David Guetta's 'Titanium' and even his own big hit 'Real Raver' got some treatment, with the new vocal lines and new mixing of the instrumental, giving those ravers something fresh and exciting.

To top it all off, there was plenty of interaction from the main man and the crowd, thanking the fans for coming and getting them hyped up throughout the show, a nice touch from the usual in and out DJ set you get at most raves.

Unfortunately, there was some power outages which delayed proceedings slightly, but hey the crowd kept themselves entertained with cheeky chants and we got to hear 'Real Raver' one more time, so no one was complaining.

 

All in all, this was a great show and you really felt that this was a new experience for the UK Bass scene. Sure the booming bangers and sweaty ravers were still there, but you felt like this was a show and not just your average DJ set, with wobblers galore and some musicality that we don't normally get from the electronic music scene.

TS7 Live, may be the beginning of a new chapter for the live rave experience and I suggest if the opportunity arises again, you get yourself involved.

4/5

TS7 will be in Manchester at YES (The Pink Room) on the 25th February for the final show of the tour!

Thank you for reading this blog and I hope you enjoyed, if you attended one of these events, let me know about your experience in the comments. But until next time, this has been another Tom Talks!