Chase & Status provide electrifying finale to MTV Crashes show

Thousands of music fans from across the region descended on the Ricoh Arena on Friday for MTV Crashes Coventry.
MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David JacksonMTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson
MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson

The opening night of the two day festival was brought to a close with an electrifying set by headliners Chase & Status.

Despite remaining largely hidden behind a large ‘C’ and ‘S’ throughout their set, the duo of Saul Milton and Will Kennard whipped up the Coventry crowd in to a frenzy with some of their biggest hits including Let You Go and Blind Faith

The pair were joined on stage by MCs, singers and live musicians for a set which included ample pyrotechnics and was a perfect end to the opening day.

MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David JacksonMTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson
MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson

MTV presenter Laura Whitmore hosted proceedings, with resident DJs keeping fans entertained between acts.

It’s the first time MTV has brought its Crashes event to the region, following previous shows in Plymouth with fans able to pick up tickets for each day for only £10.

It was down to DJ and producer Sigala to properly get MTV Crashes under way.

Flanked by backing dancers and an MC, Sigala was also joined by singer John Newman who featured on his recent single Give Me Your Love.

MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David JacksonMTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson
MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson

Following Sigala was singer songwriter Fleur East. Since appearing on the second series of The X Factor in 2005, East has gone from strength to strength.

She was joined on stage by an army of backing singers, treating the Ricoh crowd the tracks from her debut album Love, Sax and Flashbacks including her hit single Sax and her cover of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.

Brit award winner Tom Odell was next up and slowed down the tempo of the day with his distinctive, piano led alternative.

Odell, who releases his new album next month, played tracks including top ten single Another Love.

MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David JacksonMTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson
MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson

Given the upbeat party atmosphere of the day, it felt a little strange to see a grand piano wheeled out for Odell’s set, but he still went down a storm with the Ricoh crowd.

It was down to Kaiser Chiefs to up the energy following Odell which they did with a set packed full of their biggest hits.

Led by Ricky Wilson, the singer spent their set bounding around the stage as the band raced through the likes of Oh My God, Never Miss A Beat and Ruby.

With five albums and millions of record sales under their belt, the Kaiser Chiefs have got entertaining any audience down to a fine art and did an excellent job readying the Coventry audience for the headliners.

MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David JacksonMTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson
MTV Crashes Coventry Picture: David Jackson

All involved in the first day of MTV Crashes Coventry got the event off to a flying start, with the likes of Basement Jaxx, The Chainsmokers and Pete Tong following on Saturday.

For more information, visit http://www.ricoharena.com/entertainment/mtv-crashes-coventry/