After two decades on the electronic dance circuit, seven studio albums, and a decade away from the main stages of the world, Basement Jaxx continued their summer comeback with a triumphant headline show at South Facing Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Joined by Josh Parkinson, Blue Lab Beats, Rooty Sound System, Miso Extra, and DJ Paulette, the lineup promised a vibrant celebration of the eclectic genres that have long defined Jaxx’s sound.
A real highlight from their series of support acts, though, was the South East London refugee alliance, Citizens of the World Choir. Combining 50 members from 28 different nationalities, the collective was joined by one half of Basement Jaxx, Felix Buxton, to perform a song written by the producer, ‘We Will Sing’. Founded to celebrate the heritage and artistry of those seeking sanctuary, their brief but soulful time on stage was nothing short of moving—and a poignant reminder of the importance of creative outlets in cultivating unity and belonging.
Shifting gears, Rooty Sound System—their name harking back to the legendary club nights staged by Basement Jaxx’s Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe in the late ’90s and early ’00s—cranked up the energy with a set of classic house spins. Mixing underground samples, encompassing balearic, soul, and funk anthems, DJs Tayo and Frank Tope swiftly transported the crowd back to these heady days, before handing the baton over to electro-pop princess and rising star Miso Extra.
Switching between English vocals and Japanese rap, Miso Extra delivered a bold, playful, and high-spirited performance from the outset, with highlights including ‘Good Kisses’, her collaboration with Metronomy, and her softer, lo-fi hit ‘Wise’, during which she sat before her growing audience, creating a grounding, intimate moment. DJ Paulette quickly followed, effortlessly reigniting the crowd with old-school soul classics like Candi Stanton’s ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and harder house beats, guiding the packed field into the sunset with her infectious energy.
Then came the moment everyone in the sold-out venue had been waiting for. From ‘Good Luck’ to ‘Bingo Bango’ and ‘Do Your Thing’, there was no time to catch your breath for the park’s 8,000-strong crowd, as the duo spun anthem after anthem. Joining them to bring their soulful classics to life were Phebe Edwards, Vula Malinga, and Jai Amore, the latter taking to the front and centre to reimagine the 1999 hit ‘Jump N’ Shout’.
In addition to being a nostalgia-fuelled indulgence to the senses, the night also provided a visual spectacle, with costume playing a huge part in Basement Jaxx’s grandiose stage presence. From dancers draped in delicate, extravagant petals to sea-urchin-esque spikes, each song brought with it something that overwhelmed the senses in the best possible way.
‘Oh My Gosh’ and ‘Jus 1 Kiss’ injected a helping of their trademark cheekiness into their eclectic setlist before pure mischief took over with the original and remixed club classic ‘Where’s Your Head At’—introduced by a slow, foreboding tease of the Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind.’ Suddenly, gorilla suits crashed the stage in a whirlwind of chaos and dance, offering yet another nod to their ‘Rooty’ roots. Injecting a jolt of modernity into an otherwise nostalgic, family-friendly set, the sped-up cut made it feel as if the duo were just getting started with these comeback shows, hinting at the idea there’s more to come.
Returning for their much-desired encore just an hour into the show, the night came to a close on a joyous note. From the self-love inducing ‘Express Yourself’ to their latest hit ‘Bambina’, the final leg of their Crystal Park Bowl residency was punctuated by a rousing birthday serenade for trumpet player Ben Edwards and a heartfelt tribute to Slarta John—the legendary Birmingham MC and rapper, best known for his collaboration with Basement Jaxx on ‘Jump N Shout’—who passed away earlier this month.
In their hour-and-fifteen-minute set, not a single track fell short of the mark, with their headline slot playing less like a greatest-hits reel and more like a love letter to an era when dance and electronic records were heard front to back. With every song, sample, and interlude echoing word-for-word from the crowd, Basement Jaxx’s end-of-summer setlist proved once more why they’re staples.
Words by Ruby Brown
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