Artist: Nero
Venue: University Of Plymouth, Plymouth
Date: 13/10/11
With a number one album and top ten hits this year, Nero has got to be this winter’s no.1 dubstep group. Here at HTF the excitement for the live set was beyond high and with a magnificent year, thousands of people were in extreme anticipation and excitement for Nero’s visit to Plymouth University.
Walking into where Nero was to perform, the setting could not have been better. Panoramic view’s from the back were perfect for those who didn’t want to fall into the busy crowd ahead and was an ideal setting for capturing pictures of the night.
Tonight Nero gave us a remix of their incredible album Welcome Reality, as well as amazing past hits for their dedicated fans. We got the chance to taste Nero as their natural selves and witness their true production skills.
Opening the night was ‘Doomsday’ and the crowd instantly went wild. Nero shone high above in their dark, towered, very own larger than life boom-box with the headlight of ‘NERO’ in pure blue lighting up the darkened room. Instantly epic.
With the satisfactory, mental opening of ‘Doomsday’, Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray casually stood still with a smart black appearance and dark shiny visors. Dubstep’s sophisticated space warriors looking an absolute shade of cool in a very ‘out-of space’ themed surrounding adding even more adrenaline into our veins!
Making what can only be described as a “goddess” appearance, vocalist Alana Watson joined Nero. Beautiful in glistening gold with long blonde shimmering hair, an up-roar unleashed from the excitement of the crowd as this stunning vocalist opened us into the massive summer hit, ‘Guilt’. Still as cool as a pair of talented cucumber’s, Nero kept to that exterior, whilst working their magic on the decks.
Hand’s fall upwards as we go into the classic that is ‘Innocence’ followed by another dubstep classic ‘This Way’. The backdrop changes into a rather cool city at night. Lighting and colours atmospherically change lightly through to white shades of blue, matching into the city setting. You cannot get away from the lighting and visuals with Nero as the atmosphere is blackened and the visual’s are so largely strong and affective. The atmosphere continues to glow in an electric frenzy of flashes and ‘rawr’ ripping bass lines into one massive remix of ‘Blinded By The Lights’, by The Streets.
This had everyone in a world where joint electricity, sweat and movement mirrored one another in pure utter pleasure.
Alana then makes the next hit her’s with everyone’s sing along, dubstep favourite ‘Promises’. Everyone sang in enthusiasm whilst staring up at the beautiful Alana as she shone, making this hit track her own in natural beauty and slow moves. To follow such pleasure we got to hear the latest chart topping tune, ‘Crush On You’.
This live version was was much much heavier with an interlude of the 80’s classic at the end; this then slowed down to a very heavy ,meaty, beaty bassline. This mix-up was satisfactory beyond extreme. Before we know it we are all back into a crazy moshing excitement of dubstep joy.
“Stamp on the record bitch”
‘Must be the feeling’ kicks in followed by a big build up and drop into ‘Me and You’.
Nero, and Vocalist Alana Watson end their exploding set on a polite, appreciative thank you bow at the front of the stage. A smooth ending to an incredibly professional, hardcore and talented set. Dance fans, this is seriously not a live set you can allow yourselves to miss!
Hear from Nero here- http://www.facebook.com/nerouk
Rave. Mosh. Dance. Kiss. Share. Experience.
Reviewer: Sacha Moore
Photographer: Joshua Pratt
