Community at Plan B presents review 23 April 2011

For a line-up that in Berlin, Milan or Paris would have drawn a sell out crowd, the attendance to last Saturday’s Community at Brixton’s Plan B left a lot to be desired. In competition with Armin Van Buuren headlining over at Brixton Academy, the often overlooked venue had it’s own major headliner on offer in the shape of Berlin based producer and DJ Jesse Rose.

Credited with kicking off the fidget house movement along with Solid Groove and one-half of Major Lazer, Switch, Jesse Rose set up his own label Made To Play, going on to trademark a unique brand of tropical sun-kissed house with hits ‘Touch My Horn’ and the vintage knees-up inspired ‘Well Now’.

With vibes deep-rooted in bossa nova, reggae and samba, pulled together by a bassline that strums and struts the crowd into a Balearic-inspired frenzy, it was a shame there was a lack of crowd for Mr Rose to work. His aptly titled latest release ‘Anthem’ as one half of duo Black Rose with fellow DJ Henrik Schwarz, sets the scene for a summer of top music. Check it out here.

Warming up the less than excitable crowd was the down-to-earth Raf Daddy as Hot Chip’s producer and one half of innovative house DJs The 2 Bears. With their own breed of deep soul house and trademark bear-themed videos, The 2 Bears look set to flex their bear claws in 2011. Check out their latest remix of Toddla T’s ‘Take It Back’ with vocals from garage warbler Shona Ama.

Come 3am kickout as the Academy emptied and Plan B filled up, the crowd intent on continuing the party were not disappointed by nu-garage duo Hot City. The self-described “urban-techy” vibes of ‘Twist’ and ‘Another Girl’ pumped the venue right into the early hours as the garage duo crafted a set of all things brilliant and bassy.

Verdict: Overall a top line-up but lack of promotion hampered the party-vibes. The 2 Bears and Hot City definitely ones-to-watch.