Ministry of Sound & Ellie Sax – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax

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Ministry of Sound & Ellie Sax – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax (3)

By Christine Goode, July 2024

The Piece Hall in Halifax is not just a beautiful building brimming with history, it is now renowned for showcasing top class music acts – and tonight is no exception. It is Saturday night, and there is a buzz in the air as we head out to see the legendary club giants, Ministry of Sound collaborate with Halifax favourite Ellie Sax, to bring us the sound and spirit of Ibiza.

There are hundreds of people all heading to the venue, many wearing sparkly clubbing gear, we see lots of sequin hats now (made famous by Ellie), faces adorned in glitter and most are done up to the nines and ready for a great night out (my guest and I feel slightly underdressed, as we prepared for the English weather… just in case!).

As we enter through the gates the atmosphere is already lively and people of all ages have flocked here, from current hardcore to former clubbers maybe reliving their Hacienda club nights?

Ministry of Sound & Ellie Sax – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax (2)

“Atmosphere intensifies”

Support act Utah Saints are already on stage blasting out banging hits and nicely warming the crowd up, we already feel like we are just walking into a club. Ibiza residents Switch Disco, soon take to the stage and the atmosphere intensifies, the music is louder, more people are coming in now, and a lot more dancing is going on. The party is really starting.

Wasting no time at all Ministry of Sound come straight on starting with ‘I Don’t Care, I Love It’ (Icona Pop vs LBW), fronted by lead singer Chesqua who has an amazing voice, the crowd are going wild jumping in unison, arms in the air, singing along, starting as they mean to go on. More classic hits follow, ‘Bonkers’ (Dizee Rascal), ‘Get Down’ (Paul Johnson), ‘Pump It Up’ (Endor), then Ellie Sax takes to the stage raising the level even higher and playing ‘Levels’ (Avicii), my favourite follows next, ‘Everybody’s Free’ (Rozalla) and countless hits roll on after.

There was a special moment when Ellie Sax and her DJ Husband Harry (aka Laser Boy Wonder) came out to a smaller stage and performed some of their new music. It was great to hear her sing, not only is she an accomplished musician she also has a fantastic voice. This was one of my favourite parts of the show giving an exclusive intimate feel, which was quite a contrast to the full on Ibiza party.

Ministry of Sound & Ellie Sax – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax (1)

“Full scale party”

The lighting is great and exactly what you would expect to see in a club, there are special effects, lazers, streamers, confetti cannons, smoke bursts. The finale was incredible: the ultimate party with huge bouncing balls for the crowd to bounce back up in the air. It was a full scale party, not only on stage, but in the entire venue.

This sell out show certainly did what it promised and much more, transporting us back to the clubs of Ibiza, especially with the bright orange sunset lighting. It was great to see so many people having a good time, many of whom probably continued partying on into the early hours.

images: Cuffe & Taylor

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