A live electronic concert can have its share of issues: the violent, substance-abusing mobs, aggressive security and a ridiculous price to see DJs turn buttons and knobs, to name a few. But fans will tell you it's worth it, as the contorted mix of striking visuals and heart-thumping beats create an unforgettable high. "Don't Think," a Chemical Brothers concert film directed by Adam Smith, delivers on all the promises of a great electronic concert without the complications.
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Filmed at the 2011 Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, the visual and auditory components of the Chemical Brothers' concert overtake their surroundings in unconventional ways. From exploding teapots to swimming silhouettes, the images flash on stage and eventually creep into the festival's general area — projections of clowns appear on food stands while white, buzzing cockroaches teem over the sidewalks.
The most beautiful moment of their performance comes during the song "Star Guitar," when the spastic lights calm for a brief moment and the light shines upon the expressive faces of the fans. The mood shift produces both a stimulating and emotionally calming sensation. It's moments like these that will make you cheer or even dance wildly around the cinema.
"Don't Think" focuses intently on the crowd at the concert. According to Chemical Brothers member Ed Simons, the band has always had a special relationship with its Japanese audience.
"They're so passionate," he told Rolling Stone. "And it was the perfect place to capture our live show at its best."
To capture the band's best work, cameras were spread throughout the crowd to catch the emotions of the fans. Many laughed, gasped, screamed and cried without inhibition — everything felt raw and unspoiled, contributing to the roller-coaster ride created by the music. Although this concert film has no definitive narrative, the camera's focus on a few individuals in the crowd defines the emotional component of the film.
For 90 engaging minutes, "Don't Think" ingeniously ties the sound and visuals of an electronic concert with superb editing to create this better-than-front-row experience of a Chemical Brothers show. This film is best enjoyed as the group's lyrics so succinctly explain: "Don't think/ just let it flow."
