LIVE REVIEW: Stereo MC’s in Cambridge, MA (01.25.25)
We’re currently in the depths of winter, plus we’re in a current political nightmare making the already cold, dark and long month of January even darker and longer. People need community, connection and the power of music to cope. I can’t think of a better way to spend a cold Saturday night in January than at the Sinclair for a super-charged set by London’s Stereo MC’s— brimming with non-stop energy, dancing and goodwill. The crowd was super receptive and magnanimous in showing appreciation for the band’s set. We were lucky that the band included Cambridge in their little U.S. three date mini tour that also included stops in Philly and Brooklyn.
Singer Rob Birch and DJ/beatmaker Nick Hallam formed the band in the 80s; vocalist Cath Coffey and drummer Owen If joined in 1990 in time for the band’s second album. Owen died in 2022 and Tansay Omar is the current drummer. Best known for the hit song “Connected” off their 1992 album Connected, the electronic and hip-hop pioneers haven’t toured the U.S. in 24 years. In 2001, following the release of their fourth album, Deep Down and Dirty, they opened for Jane’s Addiction. Saturday night was my first time seeing them live and they don’t disappoint.
Stereo MC’s maintain an impressive energy level with Rob B spitting bars in his signature jumpsuit and hat while Cath possesses a beautiful essence and her onstage dancing spreads joy and love. Really, the entire band does. It’s one big love fest. It’s a whole vibe for sure.
Stereo MC’s have released seven studio albums. They mostly performed songs from Connected– eight overall. They played “Connected” halfway through the set instead of saving it to close the set or for the encore. A smart move really as it’s the one song that everyone in the audience would be really familiar with considering its popularity back in the day. It’s a banger and the audience was pumped to hear it and likely surprised they didn’t save it for later on. Another hit from that album, “Step It Up” sounded fantastic and had the crowd dancing away. Rob B commented: “Groove out. That’s what it’s all about.” A creative arrangement of “Elevate Your Mind” impressed and Rob B led the audience in an a-capella sing-along. Other stand-outs were the cool “Black Gold” from Double Bubble (2008), a mesmerizing, other-worldly “Place,” and the catchy, expansive “Lost in Music” from Supernatural (1990).
The crowd grooved and danced and smiled the entire set. The 90 minute performance included a four song encore. Rob B gushed that they were super appreciative of the warm reception from the crowd. Backstage after the show, Nick shared that they were thrilled that Jimmy Fallon is a fan and they were able to get on to perform “Connected” the other night on the Tonight Show. Stereo MCs will be back in the states for the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena in May.
