TOO MANY DJs @ 02Academy Oxford .

SPEAKING to people in the 02 Academy before this night’s main event kicked off, it struck me that almost everyone was asking me the same question: were you here the last time they played?

The ‘they’ of course is the enormous and magnificent beast that is Soulwax, or rather more specifically 2 Many DJs.

Apparently the last time they played in Oxford they brought with them a drum kit and other instruments to add something a little different to their set, and were by all accounts amazing.

So with fresh enthusiasm, I started to really look forward to what seemed set to be one hell of a show.

This is quite a long time off however, and for the time being, I discover I’ve arrived far too early.

The space in the Academy is what’s truly striking at this early hour.

The masses of fans are yet to arrive, and while there are already quite a few people in attendance, they’re already lost in the vastness of this enormous venue.

The back room, the room used as Room 101 on Saturday nights at Transformation, is opened up, allowing access to another bar, which of course is a plus, but for now just adds to the overwhelming sense of emptiness.

The sound desk has been moved from the middle of the floor to the right hand side, further opening up the floor and creating a vast expanse that seems impossible to fill.

To entertain the early comers, a DJ plays what seems to be mostly obscure seventies disco tracks.

But as the night presses on and people start to file in, he gradually climbs up the years, getting more modern and more electro in his selections until support act Riton takes over with a rather brilliant electro set to lead into the headliners.

Soulwax take to the stage to an enormous cheer and thunderous applause, and suddenly looking about myself I can’t imagine where all that space has gone.

I assume the event was sold out, because almost the entire Academy is packed with people, barely having enough room around themselves to dance, though that doesn’t stop them trying.

The showmanship I had been waiting for materialised in a visual accompaniment to the set, as two video screens displayed animated versions of each tracks individual artwork, animation that was synched perfectly with every single beat and scratch of this 90 minute set.

Truly it’s a testament to their professionalism and skill that they were able to play an utterly flawless set in perfect synchronicity.

What remains a shame is that this was a one-off gig.

All I can say is make sure you book your ticket well in advance for their next return, an event I’m sure at which the only thing anyone will ask is: “did you see them play last time?”