The Justice documentary 'A Cross The Universe' gives you a good idea of what to expect at a Justice gig. Rock and Roll attitudes submerged in heavy beats, synthesisers, emphatic choruses and hysterical crowds of fans, all encased with a casual comical value. So as you can probably tell, there really is nothing quite like being there in person, as I found out on the 9th of February at Bristol's 02 Academy.
As always Justice had sold out their venue for the evening, their reputation of a night of debauchery deemed too difficult to pass up for fans coming from all corners of the UK. Gaspard Auge` and Xavier de Rosnay have built a reputation for their rock' n' roll style juxtaposed with nu-disco, french house and electro funk sound, and it works fantastically.
Justice first came to prominence with a remix of Simian's song 'Never Be Alone' originally created for a Paris college radio stations remix competition. After being aired in clubs and through internet sites the song finally got release in the UK under the title 'We Are Your Friends' using a sub label of Virgin Records and this got them the chance of releasing their first album 'Cross'.
Propelling them to almost instant legendary status after picking up award nominations for 'Video of the Year' at the MTV Music Video Awards for 'D.A.N.C.E' and claiming the 'Video Star' prize at the European Music Awards alongside 'Best French Act of the Year' Justice soon became festival favourites playing at 'Coachella' 'Sonar' 'Oxygen' and 'T in the Park' to name but a few.
After releasing their live album 'A Cross The Universe' the lads released much anticipated second album 'Audio, Video, Disco' in 2011. It was a smoother, less punctuating release in comparison to the almost flawless first, but it was different, and different was good. They still outlined their knack for hitting explosive hooked choruses with tracks like 'Civilisation' and 'Newlands' whilst introducing a slower groove to songs such as 'On'n'On'. The funk and soul element is still very much alive too with song like 'Helix' keeping you guessing and anticipating the next move throughout the albums entirety.
The stage was set, quite literally, the dummy Marshall stacks were in place each side of the stage and a rather provocatively placed sheet failed to cover up the outline of the infamous cross front and centre.
As the call from the fans grew louder the lights faded and the calling card introduction of first song 'Genesis' announced the french duo's arrival. Appearing from a thick mist covering the sold out venue came our hosts for the evening, it was difficult to make out much more than the leather jackets, Gaspard's hairline and the intermittent glow from two cigarette ends. They really arrived when their silhouettes were illuminated by the blinding light of the cross.
Dropping into the 'Thriller-esque' groove 'Genesis' took the dance floor over instantly and everyone, in unison, lost themselves in it. This truly set the tone for the evening, an evening dominated by overall admiration of the two men commanding the room so dominantly. The raw from adoring front row ravers propelled the sound of Justice to new levels of hysteria that night and I can honestly say I failed to see anyone not moving to their feet..and more.
If there was one criticism it was a small one. As in true 'Justice' fashion they blended popular samples into their own tracks and it was of course flawlessly done. But they didn't last long and just as you came to realise the song they had dropped in and came to enjoy its comparative groove it was gone, leaving no real time to revel in it. As I said it was a small criticism on an otherwise flawless show. They truly did explode on the Bristol 02 that night and gave it everything they had to please us.
It's not everyday they come to England to play but when they do next a recommendation to see them perform would come very highly from me.
