Faithless: The Power of Live Music
Last night I ventured out to the O2 Academy in Brixton to see Faithless live for the first ever time albeit without the lead vocalist, Maxi Jazz who sadly passed away in 2022. Life had been a little overwhelming lately so I just could not wait to find a bit of escapism and lose myself on the dancefloor.
It had been a number of years since I ventured out into Brixton. What a vibe that place is! Buzzing with energy, youth and hipsters. It was also my first time at the O2 Academy in Brixton – what an impressive venue! The stage and the lighting had me totally mesmerised as soon as I walked in. But the thing that really got me, was the energy of the people chomping at the bit to see Faithless on stage. One of the most engaging crowds to be amongst, possibly down to the age range being mostly 40s – 60s. It’s as though we had a mutual understanding of how important our social interaction was. Added to that a band that have stood the test of time and continue to blow our minds with the quality of their music and their ability to use that music to connect with us on a very deep level. It felt incredibly spiritual.
Nostalgic footage from 90s ravers as well as of Maxi Jazz, played on screen throughout the performance. That was such a highlight for me and got me teary-eyed thinking about how different life was back then. Seeing bucket hats on the dancefloor had me smiling from ear to ear. Even the way people danced was different. Naturally as humans we grow, we evolve. But one thing that has not changed is the powerful effect that live music has on us. That feeling of togetherness just for those few hours, leaving our worries behind and escaping into another world. That feeling of belonging through music is just so intoxicating to me.
Naturally, I began to reflect on my own raving journey which started out in the early 2000s. I find myself thinking, ‘Did I know how good I had it? Did I know that it would not be forever? On that scale at least?’ Details are hazy given that this was twenty years ago. As far as I can remember, my life was all about living in the moment. There were no real plans. I just wanted to live and feel free. And boy did live music and the club scene do that! How different to today. My life is all about planning and working towards goals. Working my socks off now, making sacrifices and setting myself up for the rest of my life so I can take more holidays and have more freedoms in the future.
I feel a sense of sadness to think that I will never get that feeling of freedom, exploration and hedonism again to the extent that I did when I was in my 20’s. ‘Is this a mid-life crisis perhaps? Or maybe psychologically, we look back on our past and remember only the happy moments whilst erasing the sad?’ Whatever it is I am going through right now, the one common denominator between my past and present that never fails to make me feel good is, music. Many a night’s in my little one bedroom London flat I have spent with my headphones on bouncing around my lounge sweating it out, expressing myself and escaping through music. Music really is the answer. It has the power to make us laugh, make us cry, feel agonising pain, lift our spirits, smile at total strangers, move our bodies in a way that feels good to us and inspires us to take action upon something we may not have done so otherwise.
I wondered how Faithless must have felt performing in the absence of Maxi Jazz. Just before finishing, keyboardist Sister Bliss honoured Maxi Jazz, ‘he would have been so proud’ she said as she choked up. My friend and I just couldn’t help but look at each other and tear up too.
It was an evening that went by far too quickly and one that I am still ‘buzzing’ from even now. I did not want to leave my little Faithless bubble. Thank you Faithless for an incredible evening. I am sure Maxi Jazz was looking down on you all feeling an immense sense of pride.