Faithless at St James

By STEPHEN JEWELL

"If you raise one finger in the air, that's one," says Maxi Jazz as he raises the first digit of his right hand , before half of the packed St James auditorium swiftly follow suit. He encourages the crowd to raise a solitary digit from their other hand before concluding, "Two fingers, that's us".

Profound philosophy from the straight-faced Faithless frontman, a dedicated Buddhist who wholeheartedly believes in his pat, New Age platitudes. But all life lessons are swiftly forgotten as he launches into We Come 1, the anthemic first single from last year's Outrospective album which is partly inspired by Faithless' supposedly symbiotic live show; a quality embodied by a full-to-bursting St James which joyfully unites with Maxi Jazz, DJ/producer Sister Bliss and a six-strong band including Outrospective vocalist Zoe Johnston.

Over their seven-year history, Faithless have been celebrated more for their impressive live show than their albums, and as this was their first visit to this country, their reputation preceded them.

However, the band seamlessly integrates the electronic elements of their DJ-based music into the live setting. After opening with the eerie Donny X, Maxi Jazz segue into the sanguine Muhammad Ali which perfectly showcases his laconic, Jamaican toast-style raps.

But Faithless are famous for epic tunes such as We Come 1 and perennial favourite Insomnia, which inspires the crowd to move up a gear when it arrives four songs into the set. Quieter moments like the Johnston-sung Crazy English Summer are appreciated, but it is the pumping anthems such as the creepy Tarantula that receive the most enthusiastic response.

Faithless close with the stirring God Is A DJ, during which Maxi Jazz declares, "This is my church, this is where I heal my hurt," reinforcing the point by declaring that tonight the stage of the St James is his place of worship. Amen to that.