Hot Chip, Brixton Academy, London

It’s a dreary night in Brixton. A vaporous mist floats above the iconic domed entrance to the Academy, giving it the humidity-drenched appearance of a Las Vegas venue sitting self-consciously in the middle of a tropical rainforest. The weather is having an identity crisis, and the misty clouds are combined with an unpleasant London chill. Above the doors, plastic black letters have been slotted into aging billboards; “Hot Chip. 18th & 19th October. Sold Out”.

It’s a testament to the enduring popularity of Hot Chip, who have sold out both nights of their Brixton residency in an equally uneasy climate to the conditions outside. People are strapped for cash nowadays, but tonight you wouldn’t know we’re in recession. Despite the amphitheatre grandeur of Brixton Academy, the atmosphere is akin to a friendly house party where everybody has turned up to catch up with a well-loved mutual friend. Hot Chip have a mighty discography to back them up, and draw on a rich back-catalogue of five albums for a set rammed with classics. ‘One Life Stand’ is particularly good fun, with the jolly addition of guest steel drum player welcomed onstage to a whooping reception. The sawtooth synths seem even brasher live, and threaten to tear the roof off a strobe-filled room that quickly transforms into a technicolor lighting spectacle.

Hot Chip are still wearing their slightly retro suits in hues of brown, buttercup and blue, but they also have a new air of confidence about them. We always knew singer Alexis Taylor had a tremendously soulful voice, but now he’s out from behind the synth desk, pacing and dancing his way round the stage, the sheer live force hits you that much harder. He even leaves the stage to embrace members of the front row, and Hot Chip give a special shout-out to congratulate them for their valiant dedication. Joe Goddard also appears to be loving life, thrashing around almost as much as the enthralled crowd, and leading the between-song banter with gusto.

The high points just keep on coming, over and over again, and there’s an easy familiarity tonight in Brixton, as each hit song is unfurled with a flourish of lighting, an explosion of melody. As ‘Ready For The Floor’, ‘Look At Where We Are’ and ‘Touch Too Much’ all roll up, it’s like countless old friend joining the party. Anyone who discredits Hot Chip as dance music for the middle-aged is quite clearly off their rocker, because here is a band leading the way; with the quality substance to back it up.