Cut Copy Live in London 2019: Standing in the Middle of… a Rain
Every year, the Neoclassical courtyard of Somerset House turns into a vibrant music venue, thanks to Summer Series. Since 2002, the event offers open air concerts and festival-like atmosphere right in the very centre of London. Established indie artists and promising new acts usually dominate the line-up, representing a variety of genres across the 11-day programme.
The 2019 edition was as diverse as you’d expect. It kicked off with neo-soul acts The Internet and Nao, followed by jazz quartet Sons of Kemet and Latin pop sensation Rosalía, before throwing in a dose of synthpop by Australian four-piece Cut Copy on 19th July. Opening for them was the German electronic trio Brandt Brauer Frick (name taken from their surnames). I’m usually not too keen on support acts, but their instrumental set was really enjoyable, especially its more trancey and hypnotic bits.
Left to right: Dan Whitford, Mitchell Scott, Tim Hoey
Ben Browning and Dan Whitford
Cut Copy go on tour regularly, but in recent years, their schedule focused on North America and Australia. They last played in the UK five years ago! If expectations were high, the 15-track, greatest hits type of setlist easily satisfied them. It drew from all five albums, but most songs understandably came from the best-selling In Ghost Colours and the most recent LP Haiku from Zero.
“Need You Now” launched the show on a gentle note, building up to a glittery climax. Well known singles “Free Your Mind” and “Airborne” worked well as crowd-pleasers, but even more welcome, especially to more dedicated fans, were the deep cuts. I was delighted to hear the dreamy instrumental “Visions” as the intro to “Nobody Lost, Nobody Found”. But the set favoured more catchy material, such as the exuberant “Black Rainbows”. The giant screen behind the band projected dynamic visuals: bright, colourful, a bit trippy, and sometimes alluding to Masonic symbology.
Although it was mid-July, the weather couldn’t be more stereotypically British. “I see it’s wet out there. Dance the rain away!” said Dan before launching into “Pharaohs & Pyramids”, followed by one of their biggest hits, “Hearts on Fire”. It was touching when they dedicated “Future” and “Meet Me in a House of Love” to friends/fans who had recently passed away. Sadly absent were “Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution” and “We Are Explorers”, but I understand there’s only so much material you can pack into a 90-minute set, especially 18 years into your career.
But they couldn’t miss the punchy, infectious “Take Me Over”. It’s my favourite CC track and I hope they’ll release that original music video at some point. Their biggest hit yet, “Lights & Music”, was strategically placed at the end as a grand finale. And then they didn’t shy away from making a political statement, shouting “Fuck Boris Johnson!” just before disappearing backstage.
Come back soon and don’t make us wait another five years!
Setlist: “Need You Now”, “Black Rainbows”, “Visions”/“Nobody Lost, Nobody Found”, “Airborne”, “Living Upside Down”, “Free Your Mind”, “Counting Down”, “Future”, “Pharaohs & Pyramids”, “Hearts on Fire”, “Standing in the Middle of the Field”, “Take Me Over”, “Out There on the Ice”, “Meet Me in a House of Love”, “Lights & Music”.