AXIS|OF|LIVE

There's not many things better in life than a Basement Jaxx show. It's just a week shy of five years since the last time I saw the Jaxx, and although this performance was a bit more low-key in comparison (I seem to remember confetti and feathers and hula hoops, though it was kind of a crazy night, so who knows), the sheer amount of energy brought to the Webster Hall crowd did not stagnate or falter. I could see Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe, and co. over and over again, and I would never get bored. I'd probably burn lots of calories with all the dancing, too.

It was a truly badass time up in Webster, with an audience that was there in full force to see the duo from London, including people like myself and Sarah, who were meant to see them Tuesday night. That show was cancelled due to "scheduling conflicts," which means they weren't selling enough tickets. And it's a goddamn shame. Who wouldn't want to see these guys live? Their set is one showstopper after another, sheer extravagance defined. Felix and Simon performed with an arsenal of talent, including five sassy vocalists who somehow pulled off outfits ranging from jumpsuits to cheerleader uniforms to Queen Amidala-esque gowns with large, protuding collars. Also accompanying the boys was the swaying, dancing brass section, a trio dressed in kilts for the occasion, and a reggae vocalist who emerged during "Jump and Shout" (one of the best numbers of the evening-- it had the whole place in an absolute frenzy) with Jamaican and British flags draped over his back as a cape. So yeah, no hula hoops, but the flair for the dramatic carried over nicely.

Speaking of dramatic, the "Intro" to the set was a booming, operatic repetition of "BASEMENT JAXX," which went on until the amazing "Good Luck" began, getting the night off to a perfect start. The surprising thing was that despite the big Crazy Itch Radio banners hanging in the background, they didn't get to any songs from the new album until the fifth number, "Take Me Back to Your House. " It was a good introduction to the album, but a rather low moment after "Right Here's the Spot." It was followed by "Do Your Thing," which was totally insane. The most well-received songs seemed to be from Basement Jaxx's first two albums, Remedy and Rooty, which were probably widespread sentimental favorites, as they are for me. The least memorable numbers were all from the new album, including "Lights Go Down," a great song that unfortunately dragged the energy down with its slow tempo, and "Everybody," which didn't translate well to the stage, given all the samples used in the studio version.

Other key numbers included "Red Alert," arguably the Jaxx's most famous song (it was in a Coke commercial once!) and the encore, "Bingo Bango." "Hey U" found Felix bounding to the front and center of the stage to sing, shout and generally make a spectacle of himself, as did "Where's Your Head At?" The latter also included two monkey men rushing the stage for a bit of a wrestling session with Felix and the other vocalists. You really haven't lived until you've seen men in ape costumes rolling around on a stage with buxom young women while people jump up and down all around, cheering them on. The antics definitely left the crowd wanting more, and the evening's biggest disappointment came when the encore ended up as only one song. Though we cheered loudly for one or two more (maybe the strangely absent "Hush Boy" or the awesomely awesome "Get Me Off"), the group left the stage and did not return. There was some booing involved.

As for the opener, it was The Double, and they were truly awful. I don't know who picked them to open for a dance party band like Basement Jaxx, but it was a mistake. Maybe they would have left a better impression at a different show. No one clapped for them and people had their hands over their ears during their set. The Jaxx didn't even mention or thank them. It was like everyone just wanted to forget the whole mess ever happened.

Right Here's the Setlist (get it?!):

Intro / Good Luck / Romeo / Oh My Gosh / Right Here's the Spot / Take Me Back to Your House / Do Your Thing / Hey U / Lights Go Down / Everybody / Jump and Shout / Red Alert / Ace of Spades / Where's Your Head At? / Bingo Bango

If you have the chance to see Basement Jaxx live, don't say no. They're one of the only bands out there consistently making compelling and important music. Their dazzling blowout of a live performance never fails to trounce all the competition out there, but that's merely a sweet bonus.