Underworld / Rob Da Bank / Autokratz

Our evening starts as a bit of a trip down memory lane. Three mates making an age-old journey into Brixton to meet more mates and dance the night away. We started doing this about 15 years ago and that's about the same time as I got into Underworld. The downpour on the way there doesn't dampen our spirits and we score a parking space a stones throw away from Brixton Academy.

We make our way in and it's already quite busy. Our mates are there and we're quick to find them and the Mrs receives birthday wishes and drinks. Our first musical entertainment of the evening is AutoKratz. They sound a bit like a modern and more banging version of Kraftwerk to me. Their techno sounds are really bass heavy in places but they lack something and are unable to completely capture me. From time to time, my attention is wrestled away from my surroundings and I'm lost in their music but it seems a little disjointed.



The 2 piece band seem to have gone down well with much of the crowd and they're applauded off the stage as Rob Da Bank takes his place at the decks while the stage is prepared for the nights headliner. He kicks off with a bit of dub step and swiftly and skilfully chops his way through genres. There are a few tracks that raise smiles, lift the crowd and stick in the memory; a dance remixed version of Paul Simon's 'Call Me Al', and an electro version of Rage against the Machine's 'Killing In The Name Of', really get everyone moving.

Rob makes way for Underworld. The large backdrop on the stage comes to life with a projection of a man with an oversized head (think a techno version of Frank Sidebottom if that means anything to you). He holds up some cards asking for us to give a warm welcome to tonight's stars of the show, all the way from Essex!



Karl Hyde and Rick Smith are looking very spangly as they make their way onto the stage and the crowd are very eager to show their appreciation. Lights sweeping through the crowd illuminate chemical smiles as the band find their places and instruments.

'Darc' is the first track to get an outing. Its guitar reminds me of Steve Hillage and early Pink Floyd and it's a great opener. I find it pretty ambient compared to a lot of their other live stuff. It's followed by 'Rez/ Cowgirl'. To me, both tracks are sublime and I'm sad that the version of 'Rez' seems to be cut short, but then I suppose I'd be happy to listen to a half hour version so you can’t please all the people. It's great to hear it played and Karl's dancing and stage coverage really gets us all moving. The sloping floor of the Academy means that we all get a pretty good view of the band, the amazing lighting rig and the visuals fired onto the screen at the back of the stage.



The original 'Born Slippy' gets played out next. I love it, but many of the crowd don't seem to be as up for it. I suppose it bears little resemblance to the later 'lager, lager, lager' version. The set seems to take a few ambient twists and turns until coming crashing back in with a brilliant stomping version of 'King of Snake'. The effects and sound ring loudly through the building and yet the sound is very clear and clean. 'Pearls Girl' brings more mad ramblings from Hyde as the beats get broken and the bass looms heavy. Again it's another moment where you can feel the atmosphere lift another couple of notches. Part way through the song I realise I'm joining in with the mad words to the track, but I'm comforted when another light sweeps around and reveals others doing the same.



The vibe builds and builds and then we are gently guided back down for the rolling bass line of 'Beautiful Burnout'. I'm really chuffed with the set they've played so far. It seems a lot more chilled than in previous outings but there's nothing I'd do to change it. While the band work their way through the set, many hands on the side are preparing visual delights for us in the shape of inflatable cylindrical lights. They start off looking a bit like an explosion in a massive packet of glow-in-the-dark cigarettes, and the stage assistants have a good laugh moving the props into all sorts of odd positions.

'Two Months Off' begins and the words "You bring light in" seem very appropriate at this stage and it's another one of my favourites (I am feeling very spoilt), and the grins from the rest of our party seem to indicate that everyone else feels much the same way.

'Born Slippy Nuxx' separates the roof from the academy and massive over-sized balloons are released for us to play with. I suspect this version of Born Slippy is what most people associate with Underworld. Its inclusion on the Trainspotting soundtrack seems to have helped make the band what they are today. It's certainly gone down well tonight.



The final track of the evening is 'Moaner'. It seals a great end to an amazing night. Bidding a sad goodbye to friends, I'm sure I'll be taking advantage of the technology that Underworld has used to make live recordings of their gigs (available from www.underworldlive.com). It really will help to bring back more memories of this unforgettable night.

Set List:
Darc
Rez/Cowgirl
Born Slippy
Oich Oich
Always Loved a Film
King of Snake
Pearls Girl
Beautiful Burnout
Two Months Off
Rowla
Strumpet
Spoonman
Jumbo
Born Slippy Nuxx
New Train
Moaner

FUTURE GIGS