The gig unfolded across the baroque courtyards of Christopher Wren’s UNESCO-listed Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, with lasers playing off the historic towers and colonnades.
It’s an inherently theatrical backdrop, and the Russell brothers leaned into it kicking off with their banger ‘So U Kno’, marking their biggest headline show to date and the release of their second album Pure Devotion with a bouncy, party-ready vibe.
Despite the clear, crisp mix, the outdoor environment blunted some impact: big-room rave melodies and skippy drums didn’t always fill the space, and several drops felt like they needed more weight.
At times the crowd seemed to be waiting for heavier bass and bigger climaxes, a common challenge when translating club-focused dynamics to a large, open site.
Energy lifted notably on ‘Freedom 2’, their 2023 collaboration with Joy Orbison and Kwengface, which brought the energy required to get the people going.
A different kind of boost came when beat poet John Joseph Holt joined them for new track ‘Knight in Shining Prada’; his physical presence up front helped the driving synths carry further and added a focal point beyond the decks.
Their cinematic, emo-tinged remix of The Streets’ ‘Turn the Page’ also lit up the crowd, leading neatly into the feelgood finale, ‘Good Lies’, whose irresistible chorus bounced off the walls of the Grade I-listed site.
It’s safe to say that Overmono’s show was nothing less than a milestone, a sunny, celebratory rave framed by one of London’s most iconic settings.
