REVIEW: Sub Focus Live // Victoria Warehouse

2018 has already been a phenomenal year so far for Nick Douwma, better known as Sub Focus. He is correctly touring the world with his self-titled tour, performing all around the UK, as well as Spain, Amsterdam and Canada. He’s always a crowd pleaser, whether it’s at a festival or at his most recent gig at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse.

Over the past ten years, he rose from the underground circuit into the mainstream charts. In 2009, he cracked the UK Top 40 for the first time with ‘Rock It / Follow the Light’ which reached number 38 and his track ‘Tidal Wave’ featuring Alpines peaked at number 12 in the UK Singles Chart. Having worked with some of the biggest names on the dance scene, Douwma has collabed with Pendulum, Dizzie Rascal, Prodigy and many more.

Photos by Jack Kimber Photography

Victoria Warehouse was a fantastic venue for the crowd expected for this gig. There was a real mix with the ages seen in the crowd, but no one looked like they were out of place and everyone was throwing some serious shapes.

Unlike his sets at Store Street Warehouse and some smaller venues, it felt like there was room to breathe and enjoy the chest pounding bass throughout the evening.

As the support acts finished, the room began to roar as Sub Focus came into view. I swear, at some points, the DJ was floating is a mad LED circular space emporium, with stars scattered all over him and it was without a doubt, one of the best light shows I’ve ever witnessed (coming a very close second to Bicep).

Photos by Jack Kimber Photography

Within moments of striding onto the stage, Sub Focus has everyone bouncing like they were on pogo sticks to every tune he dropped.

I’m not the biggest Drum & Bass fan, however the combination of the powerful tunes, and euphoric visual show had me completely hypnotised.

Not only was the entire performance hard to fault, but the crowd was something I haven’t experienced since seeing Four Tet at WHP last year. There was so much love, happiness and energy in that one venue, no pushing, shoving, fights. It was truly magical.

Photos by Jack Kimber Photography

My only negative about the entire shows, and this goes for every d&b event I go to, is I still do not understand the point of the bloke (the MC) sounding like he’s trying to conduct an auction throughout DJ’s sets. I’m hoping that it’s not just me that thinks this.

All in all, as far as dance events go, this was up there as one of the best, not only for the music, but the crown and visuals were hard to beat.