Chase & Status at The O2 Arena In London
Chase & Status returned to London in seismic style, selling out the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena and delivering a show that felt as much like a celebration as it did a concert. The duo, Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status), have long been known for blurring the lines between genres and generations, but this show felt particularly triumphant. Following their 2024 Brit Award win for "Producer of the Year" and a historic chart run with four singles in the UK Top 40, their performance confirmed their place at the top of the UK’s electronic scene.
The night kicked off with a high-energy set from 4am Kru, who set the tone perfectly. With live loops, frantic breakbeats, and even dancers hyping the crowd, their raw jungle energy got the arena bouncing early.
From the photo pit, I caught the opening few tracks, and the intensity hit instantly. Chase & Status opened with a mix of “Smash TV”, launching straight into an explosion of sound and light. I could feel the pyrotechnics on my face and the bass in my chest. Saul Milton brought a live approach to the electronic chaos, playing guitar across the set. ArrDee’s surprise entrance for ‘Liquor & Cigarettes’ got a massive crowd reaction, one of many guest moments that kept the night full of unexpected highlights.
Unfortunately, I had issues with bag storage at the venue and missed a significant chunk of the set. However, even from the hallway, I could hear the unmistakable drop of 'Disconnect' as I ran to my seat. Joining the crowd felt like jumping into a tidal wave of energy – it was clear the momentum hadn’t dropped.
More guest appearances followed: Irah, Clementine Douglas, Tom Grennan and Liam Bailey all joined for key tracks. The latter delivered emotional and powerful vocals on ‘Blind Faith’. Together with ‘End Credits’, these nostalgic anthems reminded the crowd just how long Chase & Status have been at the forefront of UK electronic music. The songs that I grew up with were now blasting across an arena packed with fans old and new.
MC Takura Tendayi was a constant presence throughout the set, keeping the energy up and the atmosphere electric. Andy Gangadeen’s live drum kit added a powerful live element. His kit had additional pieces, including an extra row of cymbals hung from above. He truly was the heartbeat of the night, performing a brief solo before the start of ‘BACKBONE’.
With strobe lighting, dynamic visuals, explosive pyrotechnics and no lack of bass, Chase & Status created a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. As drum and bass continues to surge back into the mainstream, they aren’t just riding the wave, they’re defining its direction. The night ended with a fittingly euphoric finale, wrapping up a set that blended nostalgia, technical brilliance, and raw energy.
