There will be few at the Red Box tonight who will not have experienced the Chemical Brothers' magic touch. Apart from Underworld, Orbital and the Prodigy (when they're not in Kiss mode), few can match the thrilling and hyperactive panache of the Chemicals in full flow.
What began as a caper to make tunes for their DJ-ing sets has become a worldwide phenomenon for the unassuming Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands. Last year's best-selling Dig Your Own Hole album saw them take up residence in stadiums and large halls as the audiences for their bass frenzy doubled, trebled and even quadrupuled in size.
Collaborations with everyone from Noel Gallagher to Mercury Rev increased both their profile and already rocketing credibility. The album also saw them finally abandon the rather hackneyed big-beat template that they had created and acquire a new bag of tricks - no bad thing when you consider how easy it would have been to merely retrace past masterpieces.
After the manic Mondays of last year's promotional swings and roundabouts, they decided to take a year off and go back behind the decks. That the two still have a fever for DJ-ing and an evident fondness for fat hip-hop grooves and funky instrumentals. The recently released mix-album Brothers Gonna Work It Out is further proof of this. A tantalising excursion into the left field, it has rekindled interest in what the Brothers can do to a packed dance floor. While many will be in the Red Box to hear the hits, they can also expect everything from freaky hip-hop instrumentals to soul nuggets which have been given the Chemical treatment - party music for party people.
This show is part of the Influx Weekender featuring top-drawer dance acts and DJs at venues throughout Dublin. Influx DJ Johnny Moy and Influx Records act Invisible Armies will support the Chemicals at the Red Box. The Temple Bar Music Centre is techno central as Billy Nasty and Billy Scurry recreate seminal nights at the Temple Of Sound. RiRa hosts eclectic British DJ Luke Vibert, whose alter ego Wagon Christ's Tally Ho! album is on release at present, while local heroes David Cleary and Aoife Nic Canna warm up the decks.
The Weekender ends tomorrow night with a show featuring big-beat types The Dub Pistols and Supercharger live at the Temple Bar Music Centre. Doing what comes naturally to them on the turntables will be DJs Barry Ashworth, Johnny Moy and Irish DMC Champion, Glen Brady.