Greeted with a sign reading ‘No Breasts, No Requests’ posted behind the DJ Booth, Cargo in Shoreditch has never been a favourite of mine yet I found myself back there due to the popularity of Chet Faker. The original show was booked at the Sebright Arms but had to be relocated due to high ticket demand.
Nicholas Murphy, otherwise known as Chet Faker, supposedly names himself after the jazz musician Chet Baker and describes his music as “Motown meets minimalist house”. Over the last couple of years he has won Rolling StoneAustralia’s Award for Independent Release with ‘I’m into You’ and been tipped by Zane Lowe in his ‘The Next Big Thing’ feature.
I had been expecting an older crowd, speckled with facial hair to mirror Chet Faker’s signature beard, but instead I’m left questioning whether many members of the crowd would even be able to grow any. Just as I am pondering this thought, I’m jolted back to reality by two young girls on my right squealing with teenage hysteria at a possible sighting of Faker backstage. Kids these days.
Supporting is Rainy Milo who sports classic South East London attire, complete with Chanel trainers and Minnie Mouse hooped earrings. It’s easy to see how, at the tender age of 17, Milo has already been compared to the likes of Lily Allen. She gives an enjoyable confident performance, one to watch for the future.
At last Chet Faker walks out on to a blue and red lit stage topped with a black beanie. Hunched over the keyboard Chet Faker starts with his cover of Burial’s ‘Archangel’. It is just as haunting as the original but with an added rawness brought to life when played live. A great start. Followed by ‘Terms & Conditions’ and ‘Solo Sunrise’, you begin to really appreciate the musical composition of Chet Faker’s songs especially the percussion played with great passion by his drummer, Sam.
Standing up from his keyboard, he performs Cigarettes & Chocolate; a great mix of electronic house which he has described as an “Instrumental for people who stay up too late”. Throughout the evening Chet smirks at his band members, these guys are clearly enjoying themselves as much as the crowd. ‘Take it off’ girls cry out from the crowd when he removes his jacket with yet more whooping at the later removal of his hat.
Slowing down the mood with ‘Everything I Wanted’ followed by ‘I’m Into You’, both of which feature on his ‘Thinking In Textures’ EP, a record which shows how diversified and wide-ranging his talents are. After thanking the crowd he finishes the way he started, with a cover, probably his most famous track, Blackstreet’s 1996 R’n’B classic ‘No Diggity’. This is the song that everyone has been waiting for. As the crowd sings along to Chet’s soulful vocals I realise that, like those shrieking girls, I too have fallen for this Aussie’s charm
Natasha Walker
@maudeandtrevor
http://youtu.be/J1oe8HJkemA
