As clearer skies of late July appeared, On The Beach festival fist-pumped its way back to its Brighton home to host some of the biggest DJ names in the electronic music scene, including Ross From Friends, Job Jobse, Palm Trax, and more. Headlining amongst this array of techno VIPs were none other than Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar, better known as Bicep, performing their spine-tingling audio-visual CHROMA project.
Since the Irish duo dropped the first single release of the project, ‘001 HELIUM’, at the end of January this year, Bicep fans have been left hungry for full immersion into the vibrant and bass-heavy debut shows shared all over Instagram. An amalgamation of their current sound, favoured influences, and most-loved tracks, CHROMA combines Bicep’s climactic use of electro laser synth, breakbeat cuts and melodic vocals – and sets all that against a backdrop of electrifying light shows to deliver a futuristic euphoria rooted in underground techno.
The stage was set for July 19th, one of the UK’s hottest days of the year, as it was Brighton’s turn to host the highly anticipated DJ set located slap bang in the middle of its renowned seafront. From 2pm onwards, excited festival-goers could be seen pouring in over beach pebbles underneath the beating sun to enjoy popular curated beats provided by favourites of the electronic genre.
As the sun began to set on a sea of people, groups hurried together to witness the headline set ahead of the 9pm start. The elation of the crowd was palpable as blue strobe lights illuminated the tangerine sky and Bicep’s distinguishable textured sound filled the seascape. The duo seamlessly wove a mixture of old and new, but gave CHROMA the spotlight by playing new tracks ‘004 ROLA’ and ‘002 L.A.V.A’ amidst captivating build-ups that unleashed rapturous responses from the audience. CHROMA’s futuristic aesthetic was thematic from the outset, with cryptic visuals flashing on screen to create an interplanetary countdown between drops.
The setlist was guaranteed to include the emotionally weighted and widely beloved ‘Glue’, which always serves as a special moment within Bicep’s live shows. This track took on new meaning at the Brighton show as it fused together a mood of nostalgia with a feverish premonition of Bicep’s future identity. Arms linked together, the crowd fully embraced the soaring soundscape enveloping the psychedelic rainbow lights shining out from centre stage.
The head-rushing climax of the headline set, however, was delivered in the form of ‘001 HELIUM’ in all its ground-thudding glory. The track’s production embodied the major characteristics of CHROMA thus far: fast-paced, tense, and dynamic in delivery. Its heavy bassline, supported by flickering visuals and piercing lasers, created an audiovisual masterpiece that turned the vastness of the seaside backdrop into an extraterrestrial illusion exceptional for any Brightonian to witness.
The set undoubtedly places Bicep alongside local On The Beach legends Fatboy Slim and Carl Cox, leading forces of EDM who have similarly worked their magic to provide stellar headline shows on one of Southern England’s most cherished landscapes.
Madeira Drive, Friday 19th July 2024
Words by Emily Hince
Photos by Ciaran Tomsett
