This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/23/example-review-academy-newcastle-dance

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Example review – a bouncy singalong workout Example review – a bouncy singalong workout
(about 2 hours later)
“Here we go!” yells Elliott Gleave, aka Example, as the Newcastle masses take their cue to put their hands in the air, clamber on each others shoulders and scream along for all their worth. There’s certainly a lot to scream along with: uplifting rave synths, lots of “whoah whoas” and huge choruses. If the music is somewhere between Calvin Harris and 90s rave act Faithless, the man in the designer T-shirt is part personal trainer, part hyperactive Butlins Redcoat, inciting the audience into a “bouncing competition” one minute, and telling them to shout “oh-oh!” the next. “Here we go!” yells Elliott Gleave, aka Example, as the Newcastle masses take their cue to put their hands in the air, clamber on each others shoulders and scream along for all they’re worth. There’s certainly a lot to scream along with: uplifting rave synths, lots of “whoah whoas” and huge choruses. If the music is somewhere between Calvin Harris and 90s rave act Faithless, the man in the designer T-shirt is part personal trainer, part hyperactive Butlins Redcoat, inciting the audience into a “bouncing competition” one minute, and telling them to shout “oh-oh!” the next.
This formula has served Example very well, oiling his ascent from Fulham rapper signed to Mike Skinner’s The Beats label to the upper echelons of the top 40. There have been bumps – even bounces – along the way. Mostly, he seems to be struggling to repeat the enormous success of 2011’s Playing in the Shadows, or come up with something other than bouncy soundtracks to a lads’ night out. His more troubled lyrics are full of unconvincing cliches about keeping enemies closer and the like, although it’s hard to appear dark when your stage act is a barrage of strobes.This formula has served Example very well, oiling his ascent from Fulham rapper signed to Mike Skinner’s The Beats label to the upper echelons of the top 40. There have been bumps – even bounces – along the way. Mostly, he seems to be struggling to repeat the enormous success of 2011’s Playing in the Shadows, or come up with something other than bouncy soundtracks to a lads’ night out. His more troubled lyrics are full of unconvincing cliches about keeping enemies closer and the like, although it’s hard to appear dark when your stage act is a barrage of strobes.
When all threatens to become a blur, Example relaxes back into his singalong comfort zone with 2011 chart topper Changed the Way You Kissed Me and 2010’s electro-fired Kickstarts, still his most sublime moment. “Thank you for coming to my workout,” he cries, breathlessly, a man putting every bit of his energy into running to stand still.When all threatens to become a blur, Example relaxes back into his singalong comfort zone with 2011 chart topper Changed the Way You Kissed Me and 2010’s electro-fired Kickstarts, still his most sublime moment. “Thank you for coming to my workout,” he cries, breathlessly, a man putting every bit of his energy into running to stand still.
At the Barbican, York, 23 October. Box office: 0844 8542757. Then touring.At the Barbican, York, 23 October. Box office: 0844 8542757. Then touring.