We are so lucky to live in this city. I mean, it isn’t without reason that whenever you mention you’re at university in Leeds, people remark ‘Oh, that’s a good party city, isn’t it?’ So, when Acetate announced their nineteenth guest would be none other than Four Tet, smugness and pride purveyed for those that scrambled for tickets. Four Tet, Kieran Hebden’s solo electronic output, is heralded as one of the finest DJs and producers of our time, his sets usually constituting of every genre under the sun (he has been known to drop Justin Bieber) and his releases vary from techno across to more ambient vibes, with collaborations with other greats at every turn.

Having been on the scene for a good few years now, (his first album release as Four Tet was in 1999) and having recently sold out Alexandra Palace in London, it goes without saying that his appearance at Wire last Thursday was the hottest ticket in town. Elbowing my way through the crowd to admire his quirky, nocturnal appearance, totally focused on the rotating vinyl, buttons and nobs in front of him, my inexcusable fan-girling resulted in simply staring in awe at the master at work, occasionally sloshing beer on to whoever ended up next to me.

But as the night continued, expectations did too: Hebden started with sexy, groovy disco vibes, he dropped a few of his own, notably ‘Moth’ his masterpiece with Burial (which was super great), but that was about it. He didn’t surprise, inspire or impress me. Don’t get me wrong, the set was flawlessly conducted and I couldn’t resist a full-blown boogy, but there was nothing there to knock me sideways, except maybe the huge crowd. There were occasional bangers, but nothing I hadn’t heard before, and we left feeling a little bit let down and under-whelmed.  Alas, til next time Kieran; now go and get some sleep.

Flora Tiley

Photo credits: Phonographe Corp