“‘10 WEEKS, 10 SONGS, 10 CITIES,’ proclaims the large display beyond the entrance of Spain’s biggest exhibition venue, reminding countless fans of Fred Again.. of the excitement of their good fortune. For the first time since the 2023 edition of Primavera Sound in Madrid, Fred Gibson returns to the Spanish capital, taking charge of Hall #6 at IFEMA for a DJ set alongside his friend Skin On Skin and Spanish artists DREA and TOCCORORO.
Always breaking the mold, Fred’s 10-week worldwide venture is wrapped in intrigue and unpredictability, revealing each pop-up DJ set on a weekly basis. Despite the short notice and a Glastonbury-like verification system to deter scalpers, The Times reported an astonishing 100,000 fans trying to secure tickets for the inaugural show in Glasgow. Tonight’s third event also sold out within moments, creating an exhilarating rush from last Sunday’s announcement to the lengthy line outside.
Following DREA’s introduction, Skin On Skin elevates the energy with his high-octane techno and sultry house tracks. The ethereal ‘Where You Need To Be’ brings an ephemeral vibe to the expansive warehouse, but everyone eagerly awaits his breakout anthem ‘Burn Dem Bridges’, which he unleashes as the grand finale of his hour-long back-to-back set with Fred Again...
Once Fred joins Skin On Skin shortly after 2am, the atmosphere inside IFEMA electrifies almost uncontrollably. “We are so excited to be here, gracias,” he exclaims, gradually introducing ‘Turn On The Lights again..’ and the recent collaboration with Amyl & The Sniffers titled ‘you’re a star’ to the captivated audience. Despite stickers being placed over all phone cameras at Fred’s request, many throw them aside, eager to capture a glimpse of the towering figure commanding the decks.
“This is the latest we’ve ever played,” Fred acknowledges as he takes command until 5am. “Most countries don’t allow it!” In contrast to the myriad live performances the UK has witnessed in recent years, this three-hour marathon embraces the laid-back vibe that permeates Madrid. The set moves without haste, allowing each moment of joy to resonate before he plots his next transition.
As ‘Jungle’ makes its entrance, hundreds rush back inside from the smoking area, followed by ‘Delilah (pull me out of this)’ and ‘Bleu (better with time)’ guiding us back into his ‘Actual Life 3…’ realm. The summery breakbeat of ‘places to be’ and the euphoric ‘adore u’ are necessary to invigorate the edges of the crowd, but under the shifting light canopy, the devoted fans at the core of the Fred Again.. set have danced nonstop throughout the night.
“Hold up, I want to hear this one more time,” Fred urges, giving one final spin to his rendition of ‘the floor,’ this week’s collaboration with Skin On Skin and BEAM. Tonight serves as a reminder of the importance of artists like Fred Again.. who can create such genuine, widespread joy for thousands simply by showing up. With seven more cities awaiting this experience, one can hope that, regardless of how many arenas this man can – and will – fill, such spontaneous nights will continue to shape his legacy.
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Words: Rishi Shah
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En Vivo: Fred Again.. – IFEMA, Madrid
