Chase & Status brought their award-winning drum and bass tunes to Los Angeles for a two-night run at the Hollywood Palladium.
UK duo Chase & Status have been making moves in the scene for decades. Albums like More Than Alot and tunes like “Mixed Emotions” launched them to drum and bass don status, and their more recent success from the release of gems like “Disconnect” with Becky Hill and “Baddadan” with Bou, Irah, Trigga, Takura, and Flowdan skyrocketed them to even greater heights.
Following the release of 2 Ruff, Vol. 1, Chase & Status took home multiple trophies at the Brit Awards and Drum&Bass Awards, giving them proper recognition for their hit-making talent and bringing drum and bass to the forefront for many. The duo capitalized on this with a show at Drumsheds that saw them collaborate with FRAY Studios on a short film while also giving fans in the US something to be excited for with news of a tour that would take them across the country.
The first stop on Chase & Status’ tour would be at the Hollywood Palladium, with the first night quickly selling out after tickets went on sale, leading to a second night that was added into the mix. There was no chance we’d miss out on the kick-off to this monumental tour, so we made our way to the iconic venue last Thursday to get a dose of the duo’s drum and bass energy.
The Hollywood Palladium was a packed house with exceptional openers revving the energy.
Starting up the show was Clutch, a local artist who co-founded the historical collective Junglist Platoon and a regular player at the city’s favorite drum and bass gathering, Respect LA. The crowd was already filled to the brim, filling the GA floor with enthusiasts getting down to a blend of jungle and UKG. Bristol’s own Sam Binga followed, rinsing out some of his hit tracks like “Proud.” The set had a nice mix of jungle, breaks, and 150 BPM tunes, as well as tons of mixes of other genres, a classic move from this standout artist.
Next up was Blanke, who featured his AEON:MODE project and played a wide selection of top neurofunk and jump-up tunes that kept the hype rolling. The energy was clearly about to hit peak levels. Up-and-coming star in the scene Rohaan played in direct support of Chase & Status and had the crowd going wild as he kicked off his set with a flip of Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” The whole set was wall-to-wall energy of liquid, breaks, and intense jump-up tunes, and it quickly became one of my favorite performances I’ve seen at the Hollywood Palladium so far.
The crowd was a collective hivemind of drum and bass enthusiasts buzzing excitedly when it was finally time for Chase & Status to take over the decks.
The energy swelled as Chase & Status graced the stage and began to play. Thankfully, the overall atmosphere from the crowd was positive, with no one pushing forward onto the GA floor or making me feel any sense of discomfort, even if it was packed to the brim.
The duo’s set had a great mix of old and new tunes as they dove into different subgenres within drum and bass. Several of their hits rocked the floor, such as “Liquor & Cigarettes,” “Disconnect,” “Selecta,” and even “Original Nuttah” from the depths of their discography. Other bangers were rinsed out, including “Bunker” by Culture Shock and several unreleased VIPS. Of course, everyone had their hands (and phones) up for the ultimate drop of “Badaddan.”
Along with the well-fit sound system that allowed for the vocals of their beloved featured artists to echo throughout the venue, the huge panels for visuals accompanied by the lighting created a vibrant experience. Add in the whole crowd screaming and skanking along to their tunes, and it was a heavenly night for drum and bass lovers in Southern California.
Chase & Status are still on tour and have also been announced to play the Do LaB at Coachella, HARD Summer, and more this year. Grab tickets, grab your friends, and don’t miss your chance to catch this legendary duo!
