Remember a time when DJs ruled the earth? It seem like aeons ago now but, tonight, they at least have dominion over a sizable chunk of south Dublin. The series of Marlay Park marquee gigs have proven a real musical highlight of the summer, drawing great crowds for homegrown acts and the legendary likes of Roger Daltrey. But this evening’s main event is something else. Suddenly, the park turns into a dance Mecca, with fans of clubbing culture emerging out the woodwork to make their pilgrimage. We’ve already been warmed up by Felix Da Housecat, and once the brothers DeWaele arrive, the place is absolutely heaving.
Dressed in tuxes, and ice cool as ever, they immediately get down to the business of making people move. What’s more, they pull it off with aplomb. Pitched tonally somewhere between their frequent DJ sets and their Soulwax full-band set-up, it feels like a real celebration of dance culture. That means sampling highlights from across the genre’s history. Up first? Chemical Brothers ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’ naturally – “Here we go!”. The opening grinds and grooves, harkening back to glory nights at the monster venues of the Mediterranean. ‘Show Me Love’ captures the nostalgia vibe and spins of Donna Summer’s immortal ‘I Feel Love’ and ‘Blue Monday’ ratchet it up a notch. All the while, the DeWaeles keep their heads down, focussed on the task at hand. Thanks to the glorious (and knowingly humorous) visuals, the duo are far from the central attraction.

When the crowd take a second to stop pogoing and/or Bez-dancing like mad, they see animated record sleeves, primary colours and iconic imagery all locked into the beat and melody. MGMT’s ‘Kids’ kicks in and suddenly a gigantic Andrew VanWyngarden projection appears, dancing in time to the tune. It is both big and clever.
As for the tunes, it goes without saying that 2manydjs have the finest, most democratic taste around. Songs from across the musical spectrum sit side-by-side. Ironically, the biggest cheers from the predominately dance audience are reserved for the indie classics – cuts from Blur and Franz Ferdinand press all the right buttons.
Later on, Mr. Oizo’s ‘Flat Beat’ jostles for position alongside ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ and ‘Ace Of Spades’. The finale – a glitter gun goes off as Kurt Cobain’s distinctive guitar floods the tent. It’s the most euphoric Nirvana have ever sounded and shows the true skill of dance’s greats – that ability to take thousands on a communal, blissed-out journey.
2manydjs are clearly dab hands at it, their sonic SatNav never veering off-course. You know when rock stars talk about having seen iconic bands at your Slanes and what-not, and immediately wanting to play guitar? You figure sales of decks must surely be zooming after this.