Live Review: Rudimental, Gorgon City, Benibee

An absolute pick'n'mix bag of punters reflects the incredible crossover success that British stadium d'n'b crew Rudimental have had in a crazy 18 months, but it doesn't translate to a heaving dancefloor early, with many cautious to cut moves to Benibee. Working with a partner tonight, the Brissie favourite brings the bounce, taking it tech through Disclosure and funky with Daft Punk. Also pencilled in for the afterparty tonight, if Benibee runs the same set people will lose their shit.

It's a taste of America next, with Gorgon City immediately calling on basslines of a thicker build. Winning plenty of new fans prior to their Future return next year, the duo are creative with their mid-sections and let the vocals ride high. London stunner Yasmin appears halfway through with a loose smile and owns it on their collab track, Real. She has killer pipes so her silly leather hat is overlooked.

Then the frontline decks are pulled away to reveal a stage dotted with creation stations: synths, keyboards, controllers, performance pads. Microphones are positioned all over the multiple tiers, while a drum screen wraps around the kit positioned back and centre. It's busy up there, but still it manages to seem clean, with the original four south Londoners of Rudimental bringing some friends Down Under. By the time the full team is on stage, there are nine bodies assembled. Horn player Mark Crown leads some soulful dub to start things up; it builds and builds, then with one of the two gorgeous female vocalists they've called on stepping out, Right Here lands and the sold-out room reaches for the roof. Spoon follows with some literal cutlery sounds courtesy of Amir Amor before Not Giving In rains down; when the hook lands the room feels like it's shaking.

It's impossible to single out individual stars in the Rudimental experience; each member utterly owns whatever role they're carrying out at that specific point in the set. Lighting is sharp, the backdrop is minimal. The joy here comes from the smiles and energy of the people on stage; they genuinely seem like they're having the best time possible and it's infectious – we lap it up. Drum'n'bass is a mere reference point; there's so much more to Rudimental; glittery disco balls and matching dance moves, moving power ballads (Free), while a cover of Fugees' Ready Or Not turns into a full rave explosion. Things soon climax with Feel The Love before it drips away a cappella. The Brits then disappear to the wings and the venue erupts. The three-song encore that follows is a mere victory lap around the glory that's been.