Ironworks, Inverness, 17 April 2008

Fatboy Slim at the Ironworks

QUENTIN? Norman? Mr Cook? Mr Slim? Fatboy? I have often wondered exactly how I would address the Brighton-born music man if I were to meet him. Having been brought up in Inverness, I guessed it wasn’t something I really needed to worry about. But what if tonight was the night? What if I finally got to say hello and I had absolutely no idea what to call him?!

But I digress. Inverness is a far cry from Mr Cook’s usual gigs, playing to tens of thousands of festival goers on the shores of Rockness or to the ‘uber trendy’ at the super-clubs of Ibiza; so it was a rare treat for fans of Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, to see him play such an intimate gig.

Spending a couple of days in the Highland capital to fine tune the details of his second appearance at the Rockness Festival in June, he decided he would throw a little party for some lucky locals. So I was off to discover what exactly it was that has kept him at the top of his game for the last 15 years.

Arriving at the now established Ironworks venue in Inverness, the crowd were already being whipped into a frenzy by DJ’s playing classic floor-fillers by Blur, Nirvana and Prince. Admittedly my days of scurrying to the front of crowds to get the best view are getting fewer and further between, but I still get a huge buzz from any live music show and of course still enjoy trying to pull a few shapes of my own on the dance floor. Having missed Rockness 2006, and having never seen Mr Slim perform before, I was excited as the rest of the crowd as I squeezed in amongst the dancing throng of people.

Already, 800 sweaty party goers were waving their hands in the air like they seemingly just didn’t care. By the time Norman Cook rocked on stage shortly after 11pm the atmosphere was electric. Mixing up many classic tunes such as Underworld’s ‘Born Slippy’, Chemical Brothers’ ‘Do It Again’ and local anthem ‘Monster’ by Welsh band The Automatic in his usual break beat style, alongside his classic album tracks like ‘In Heaven’ and ‘Right Here, Right Now’,

At times resembling a hyperactive uncle at a wedding, with a loudish shirt and wildly clapping arms, he effortlessly fused, looped, mashed up, spliced and whatever it is that DJ’s actually do on stage with their shiny buttons and fancy laptops which create the beats, sounds and rhythms that had us all bouncing up and down and clapping our hands.

What he perhaps lacks in looks and fashion sense he certainly makes up for in energy and enthusiasm. One thing’s for sure, he certainly gives it his all. With Rockness a matter of weeks away and promise of a spectacular light show to complement the unbeatable surroundings, this bite size piece of Fatboy Slim has most definitely whetted my appetite for more.

As the final bars of Bob Marley’s ‘Could You Be Loved’ died down and the satisfied crowd tumbled out on to the streets, weary but happy, it was clear that Mr Cook is quickly cementing his place in the hearts (and ears) of the Highland crowds.

© Fiona Carr, 2008

Links

• Ironworks
• Rockness

highland,music