In preparation for a string of festival appearances across the UK, including a DJ set at Highest Point, we had a look at the career of one of the UKs, and the world’s, most crucial electronic music duos.

Date published: 1st Apr 2022

Known for their energetic, upbeat party anthems such as 'Where’s Your Head At' and 'Red Alert', Basement Jaxx has been pioneering the UK and international electronic music scenes since the beginning of the 2000s.  

Originating from Brixton, the duo burst on the scene with irresistible feel-good tunes such as 'Red Alert', 'Bingo Bango', and 'Rendez Vu' from their first LP Remedy, with 'Rendez Vu' climbing to number four on the UK Singles Chart. With an unusual but endearing video featuring chefs, martial arts instructors, angry wrestlers and other characters sharing stories before engaging in a cowboy face-off style game of rock, paper, scissors, the group was propelled into worldwide stardom. 

 

 

But it was when they released the follow-up album Rooty - featuring 'Romeo', 'Where's Your Head At' and 'Do Your Thing' - that they began to solidify themselves as key players in electronic music. Rooty saw Basement Jaxx experiment heavily, blending genres and sounds many believed wouldn’t work until they heard the album themselves. At the time, this cross-over of electronic, reggae, house, RnB, ska and Latin elements was uncommon, demonstrating their unique, virtuosic abilities. While still achieving an overall pop feel, it’s no surprise the album was a huge success and remains their most popular release to date. 

 

 

Rooty reached number five on the US Billboard Dance Album Chart and sold over 100,000 copies in the UK and 35,000 in Australia, resulting in a Gold certification in the latter two countries. After some initial resistance, Pitchfork named Rooty the 33rd best album of the noughties, Q named it one of the best albums of 2001 and Kludge, an American music magazine, would crown it number three on its list of the top 10 albums of 2001.

With such a well-received album, Basement Jaxx achieved even greater levels of fame and success. Still, they continued to fire out impressive, experimental music, earning them a prestigious headline slot at Glastonbury in 2005 and a Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album for their third LP, Kish Kash.

Now seven studio albums, a few compilation albums, and countless EPs in, Basement Jaxx continue to set venues alight with intoxicating live performances and DJ sets as they continue their reign of electronic music.

The group's early releases dating back over 20 years remain as powerful and dopamine-flooded as ever, taking parties to another level and enabling younger audiences to fall in love with electronic music. Looking back, it’s clear that Basement Jaxx played a vital role in the development of electronic music and exposing such sounds to a wider audience. 

 

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Join thousands of other music fans at Highest Point Festival to witness these electronic trailblazers set the stage on fire with their electrifying DJ set featuring the legendary songs that shot them into fame. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.