by RAF KATIGBAK

Chromeo definitely deserve to pop their collar after that awesome spectacle of live rock/electro-funk at Cabaret last Saturday. After a neckbreaking, testosterone-fuelled set by the producer-rapper supergroup Evening (Jordan Dare and the Kosa brothers), Chromeo lead singer Dave 1 had the crowd screaming with some incendiary licks on his Gibson Flying V while partner P Thug channelled the spirit of Zapp's Roger Troutman with his virtuoso use of the Talk Box (think Tupac's "California Love").

Gaining momentum from their gigs in L.A., New York and Toronto, this time around the pair brought a back-up band in the form of two keyboard players and a sick drummer to fill out the stage while they ripped through a short but oh-so-sweet set of Prince-inflected groove that would randomly break out into Metallica-tinged metal. The crowd, a mix of hip hop heads, '80s retro casualties, electronic music nerds and a seven-foot-tall, stage-patrolling drag queen, gave 110 per cent on the dancefloor and even sung along to a few of the songs - a true testament to Chromeo's catchy songwriting. Afterwards, Dave 1's lil' brother DJ A-Trak blew some serious domes with a short scratch routine. Following that, he then proceeded to destroy the dancefloor, taking it all the way to 3 a.m. with a set of old-school jams that included Prince, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan and more Michael Jackson. Brilliant!

The afterhours are heating up this weekend as Aria unveils some new, much-needed renovations. A fresh coat of paint and some new ambient lighting will freshen up the décor, while a new VIP room next to the DJ booth is currently in the works. To celebrate the new digs, Aria brings a double dose of big-name beatmastery this Saturday in the form of Ibiza Space club resident and tech-house wunderkind James Zabiela and breakbeat kingpin Adam Freeland. Meanwhile at Stereo, NYC's Subliminal label chief Erick Morrillo's set will certainly give house heads plenty of tasty cuts to munch on.

Those of you not going to witness the mind-altering experience known as Shania Twain's Up! tour this Thursday should hit Kink! over at Unity II, where punk pirates Poxy will be returning to the stage after rocking audiences as Plastik Bertrand's backup band for Bal en Blanc.

Friday night, come celebrate the biggest wedding in '80s cover-band history as Fantasy takes over la Sala Rossa for some nuptial hijinx. Expect costumes, processions, door surprises and lots and lots of drama (think the end of Guns n' Roses' "November Rain" video). Door's at 9 p.m., ceremony is at 10 sharp, so don't be late. Cover is only $5 if you're sporting some '80s formal attire.

Over at O Patro Vys on Friday, May 7, Meet Me at the Gates returns to present a smorgasbord of old and new with a blend of DJs, cello, didgeridoo, fire dancing and visuals. Alternately, drop by Bain St-Mathieu for Ravemontreal 14 with Thomas Krome, Creator and Yaz as well as Pheek and Mateo Murphy. Finally, on Sunday, catch the velvety-smooth stylings of vocalist Cheryl Sim with DJ Keisuke at Quartier Latin Pub.

More bounce to the ounce - or is it gram? Diskoakimbo@sympatico.ca

>> Music Listings