Review: Chainsmokers at Manchester Academy

“I don’t think any of you will know this song. It’s the first time we are performing it for you, Manchester!” Drew Taggart bellowed to the audience. However, the majority of Manchester Academy knew every word to Something Just Like This, a song they released just the night before at the Brits with Coldplay.

The Chainsmokers, an American DJ duo managed to sell out the event back in September with 2,600 people getting their tickets in just under 24 hours.

As the floor began to fill up, it wasn’t hard to notice the diversity of fans The Chainsmokers had attracted to Manchester Academy. Everyone from young children with their parents to teenagers, students and adults showed up. A lot of people made the trip from up and down the country with people from London, Southampton, Bristol to name a few and even people from as far as Canada travelled to watch the duo perform.

Following storm Doris hitting the UK, the pair reassured their fans they would still be there, tweeting, “Manchester all our trains were cancelled but we aren't letting this storm Doris stop us! Rented a car & headin’ up! tonight's gonna be crazy!”

And they did not disappoint.

The doors opened at 7pm and with the anticipating wait of The Chainsmokers who were set to perform at 9pm, their supporting act was a British DJ, record producer, singer, songwriter and remixer by the name Digital Farm Animals who performed his top hit Millionaire.

The cheesy, fun-loving producer provided the audience with big dance hits that got the audience riled up. Digital Farm Animals, less known as Nicholas Gale is a rising artist who has collaborated with the likes of Cash Cash, Sigala and is set to have a big year in 2017.

Opening with their song Inside Out, a lyrically breathtaking, emotional track, was the perfect way to open the show, expressing the pure and humble side of The Chainsmokers.

They followed the show with their more electronic/dance tracks. Throughout the show they seemed to master balancing EDM with pop and smooth female vocals. It is no surprise why the pair are kept in the top 10 charts throughout the year with their back to back feel good tracks. After coming to success with the release of their love/hate single Selfie, both Drew and Alex have revealed themselves to be a talented and credible pair.

The all standing venue meant that everyone was up, moving and enjoying the music. Drew Taggert, who leads the vocals and Alex Pall on the drums behind kept the energy up for the whole 2 hours, with not a moment that you want to take your eyes off the stage. The repetition of smoke machines and confetti ensured that the pace of the show never slowed down.

Finishing the show with Don’t Let Me Down, the chilling voice of Daya the 17-year-old vocalist combined with the upbeat trap music throughout the chorus, it made for a successful ending to what was quite frankly, a brilliant performance.