Basement Jaxx to headline Back to Basics symphony concert
Dance legends Basement Jaxx have been confirmed as the headline special guests for a spectacular meeting of club music and symphony orchestra, The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics, which opens the Millennium Square Summer Series on Friday 28 July.
The event, a new collaboration between Opera North, Leeds City Council and Back to Basics founder Dave Beer, will see the soundtrack of the legendary Leeds club night reimagined and performed live by a 50-piece symphony orchestra together with a host of original artists and vocalists from some of the biggest names in popular dance culture.
With roots in Brixton’s underground house scene, Basement Jaxx first broke into the mainstream in the late-90s with a string of huge singles including Red Alert and Bingo Bango. Their second album, 2001’s Rooty, upped the ante even further with hits Romeo and Where’s Your Head At?, quickly followed up with the Grammy-winning third album Kish Kash featuring the 2004 hit single Good Luck.
Basement Jaxx’s founder member Felix Buxton will be joined on stage by original vocalists Sharlene Hector and Vula Malinga to perform expanded versions of some of their iconic hits alongside the Orchestra of Opera North.
Felix Buxton commented: “Being long-time friends of Back to Basics and Dave Beer, it is a great honour for Basement Jaxx to be invited to help the city celebrate over 25 years of this legendary club night. We are extremely excited to see some of our best-known songs re-worked and performed live by a full Symphony Orchestra!”
Groove Armada’s long-time vocalist MC M.A.D. will also be joining the celebrations performing their first hit and Grammy-nominated single Superstylin’. Another 90s icon, Republica vocalist Saffron, will be performing a unique mash-up of her UK Club Chart number 1 Ready to Go together with her earlier cult hit with N-Joi, Anthem.
Other artists already announced include Adamski, Robert Owens, A Man called Adam, The Beloved, and Sara Garvey.
The event will be hosted by Dave Beer, with DJ sets from Back to Basics residents Ralph Lawson, James Holroyd and Tristan Da Cunha as part of the evening’s entertainment.
Dave Beer, founder and owner of Back to Basics said: “Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada are two of the biggest names in dance music, and we’re delighted that original artists and vocalists from both will be joining the line-up for the Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics. With our very good friend Saffron from N:Joi and Republica joining the stellar line-up, we’re all set for a momentous evening”.
The production team responsible for creating the show are renowned songwriter and producer Steve Anderson, who has been musical director for Kylie Minogue for over 20 years, and whose credits include Paul McCartney, Take That and Leona Lewis, and Cliff Masterson, who has worked as conductor and arranger for artists including Emeli Sandé, Little Mix and Katherine Jenkins.
Tickets for The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics are priced at £28 and are on sale now through the City Centre Box Office (0113 3760318), Opera North and at www.eventim.co.uk and www.millsqleeds.com
