Field Day 2024:
Justice Delivers a Dazzling Spectacle
By Louis King
Despite a miserable start to Field Day 2024, with intermittent rain dampening the early hours, the spirits of festival-goers remained undeterred as we arrived at Victoria Park. As if by magic, the skies cleared just as we passed through the festival entrance, with the sun making a perfectly timed appearance. It was a sign of the greatness to come.
The day started with a burst of energy from Shygirl, accompanied by The Shy Company. Their set felt like a call to the sunshine, with their vibrant performance welcoming the crowd into the day. The positive energy spread as they played, warming us up both literally and figuratively for the hours ahead. The air was electric as we moved through the festival grounds, catching sets from acts like Mura Masa, whose funky blend of material had the crowd moving as hard as the people on stage. He threw down a lively, dance-infused performance, his friends and collaborators bouncing around him as the audience followed suit.
As the day unfolded, groups of friends split up, darting between stages and indulging in different vibes. Some of my crew dashed off to the darker, heavier sets from DJs Skin On Skin and KETTAMA, delivering intense, deep house grooves that matched the moody atmosphere. But we soon regrouped, cheeks flushed, sunglasses on, and ready for the evening ahead.
Romy’s set arrived just in time for the evening's golden hour, and it was nothing short of stunning. Her delicate, yet powerful music soundtracked the perfect sunset, casting a soft glow over Victoria Park as she bid the crowd farewell. The transition from Romy’s serene, enchanting set into the night’s headliner was seamless, as the curtain of darkness slowly descended over the festival, signaling the arrival of Justice.
And then it happened—the lights dimmed, the stage went black, and the crowd stood still in anticipation. In an instant, blinding lights erupted in perfect sync with the opening note of Genesis, and we were immediately sucked into the world of Justice. From the very first note, we knew we were in for something extraordinary. Their music hit like a wave, pulling the crowd deeper into the sonic universe they’ve spent years crafting. Few knew where we were headed, but we followed willingly, entranced by the sheer power of their set.
Justice’s live performance felt like a journey through another dimension. The sound production was nothing short of awe-inspiring, as if we had been transported to another planet where every note, every beat was designed to blow minds. The meticulous craftsmanship, built over years of live performances and production experience, was on full display. Watching it unfold live, it was clear we were witnessing something special. It’s rare to experience a live show that completely sweeps you away, but this was one of those moments. For the entirety of the set, there was no place on earth I would have rather been. All thoughts of the rain and the long queues melted away—this was pure magic, and I was fully immersed.
The setlist was a perfect blend of Justice’s greatest hits and new material. D.A.N.C.E. had the entire crowd belting out the iconic hook, first led by the Justice diehards, but it didn’t take long for everyone to join in unison. It was an anthem for the night, the kind of communal singalong that festivals live for. The evening was also punctuated by their latest earworm, Neverender, featuring Tame Impala. The track was teased throughout the set, building anticipation before being performed in full during the climactic final stages of the show.
Justice’s ability to combine their older, beloved material with fresh tracks from their latest album, which has ignited a festival spree this summer, made for an unforgettable experience. There was a distinct ebb and flow to the performance, moments of high intensity juxtaposed with periods of careful build-up, all of it masterfully woven together to create an immersive narrative through sound. It felt like the work of two true masters of their craft, both at the absolute top of their game.
The light show was equally spectacular. Every flicker and flash was perfectly timed to match the music, enhancing the emotional and sonic journey Justice was taking us on. The visual storytelling was as crucial to the performance as the music itself. Throughout the set, the duo moved around the stage, often facing each other as though locked in a battle, their back-and-forth adding layers of drama to the story they were conveying. At times they united, facing the audience in perfect sync, and at others, they separated, turning in different directions as if to suggest opposition. It was all part of a beautifully realised performance that felt as much a theatrical experience as a live set.
As the set came to a close, with the final notes hitting as hard as the first, there was a collective sense that something extraordinary had just occurred. Words failed to capture what we had just witnessed—it was a performance that transcended explanation. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so thoroughly blown away by a live show, and I feel incredibly privileged to have been there to witness it. Justice has set a new bar for what a live performance can be—an immersive, otherworldly experience that lingers long after the final note fades.
And as the night ended with a bang, just as it had begun, I was left with one thought: What a show.
