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| TOURS - 24th July - Long Beach Conv. Center - USA | ||||||||||||||||
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Review
Contribution #1
- Jeff
Fanno |
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| Review
#1
- Jeff
Fanno Here's my review of Orbitals last gig in the US for the year. They got on rather late, at least for an old-timer like me. It was at least past midnight, so tecnically it was my birthday- I turned 28 on July 25. Anyway, on to the show. As soon as we got there, I thought, well, there will be little chance of meeting the brothers tonight, there was probably close to 5000 people in there. More than twice as many as in San Diego. We saw all of TCM dismal act. I think their DAT broke up a couple of times, because they kept having technical difficulties. After already seeing Orbital in San Diego on Wednesday, I knew what to expect from them and anyone who see's Orbital plays live knows that they hold the standard for a live techno act. TCM has a long way to got to reach their level. The stage was bigger than in San Diego, they added two more sections of projection panels, for a total of 12 panels. So the visual feast would be even greater than before. The set list did not change, but their energy level did. From the moment the intro music from the Clockwork Orange began, the buzz in the air could be felt. Then Paul and Phil Hartnoll emerge from the cloudy stage with one pair of headlamps turned on. First Paul's was on, then Phil put his on and off we went into a wild ride. The opening chimes of Way Out-> just filled the convention center with amazement and anticipation of the beats. Finally, the bass and beat kick in and we're off. As I said before nothing comes close to seeing these guys create their beautiful music in front of you. Phil's energy level is so high, he really gets the audience into it. He's up there grooving and orchestrating the crowd and dancing and seeing those dual lamp eyeballs sway around with the sound of their music just blows you away. Then the voice from Way Out erupts and the lights and projections change to silhouettes of birds flying. The sound just builds and builds into Spare Parts Express. The tempo changes make this one hard to dance to, until about five minutes in when the song changes completely. I love seeing the sound level readout on the screens with all the red dots moving up and down as the bass hits and the electro synth sounds penetrate us. The funky beat comes back and now we're really flying. The music didn't stop for Impact either, they led right into it. As soon as everyone recognized this tune, they were off and running. Impact is such a huge favorite of mine and to feel it live again is indescribable, especially the new reversed version. I loved it. Nowhere to Run has suddenly become my favorite track off of MoN. The live version really is sweet, the flashing lights and just the fullness of that track is overwhelming. Its such a busy track that you can't help but move when you're hearing it. Next came the crowd favorite, Halcyon with the beloved JBJ/BC samples. They have this track down to perfection. So far I am having the time of my life. Unfortunately, I aint that tall and I got as close to the stage as I could, but still could not see everything going on up there. (One random question, why do all the obviously tall people have to be near the front of the stage? I mean they're already tall and can see forever. Us shorter folks have to strain our necks and get up on out tippy toes, just to see around these freaks. Ok, sorry about my rant.) Even after just seeing Orbital a few days ago in San Diego, you can tell that they really do the show live, there's tiny little changes in their music. Some songs seemed tighter this night, but others seemed tighter on Wed. But the energy level was way higher. After Halcyon, its back to the MoN music-I Don't Know You People. This was probably my least fav. track of the tour, but I can understand why its played after Halcyon. Its still very good, just not my favorite. The visuals, however, are one of the best for this song. Lots of corporate propaganda crap, "Why Pay More", "Buy Now", etc. I liked these visual a lot. I loved the ending of this song and its lead in into the Box. This was also a crowd pleaser. I love this song live, too. Its so bouncy and the oscilloscope projection in the back with the green electro line moving to the sound of the music is way, way cool. Especially the very end, when Phil was tweaking his nobs and the green line is bouncing all over the place. I am wondering to myself, how the fuck do they do this? I don't really care to know, I just know that it is happening and I am loving it. Next comes Nothing Left Part 2. This one is pretty amazing, too. The visuals are really cool, with computer data bits and bombs blowing up. I really like the use of the screens on this one-3 X 3 sqaures of images on the screens gives you a lot to look at. After this mesmerizing tune came the Style medley. During the last couple of songs, I noticed a lot of activity with Orbitals set up, like they were having technical problems. Especially with Style. One part was playing and they were trying to fix something for the beat to kick in, and it never happened. Finally after a minute or so, it stopped altogether, Phil apologized for the delay and tried talking to the crowd. Told us it was their last gig in the US, and its really been great and thanks to the other two bands for the support. It was really cool of them to do this. They kept working on fixing the problem. I joked with my friend and said, I hope they don't ask, "Does anyone have a RCA jack out there?" Well the problem got solved and it was back to the show. Unfortunately, this took away some of the energy, but they gained it right back with their intense version of Style and mixing in Bigpipe Style. The live version of this one looks to already be a classic. Very nice job, boys. Finally, after their set ended, they took a break to return for the encore. Again, some more tech problems and they talked briefly to the audience again. Here comes the low sinister sound of Satan with 1999 growing on the screen, it flips and 666 is in front of us. Wow, its is so fucking intense, this song, the visual, the message. I hope everyone gets the same message out of this that I did. I got that there's pretty messed up thinking in this world and Satan or some form of his evil is behind it. Anyway, it was very, very intense and poweful. It ended and then its off to Dr Who's world. I've got to get a copy of this one, so slick and cool. Its got Orbital's name written all over it. Dr. Who leads into the always beautiful Chime. I love the speeded up version of this, and with this being their last gig of the US tour it was even more intense. There's so much emotion in that simple song it is utterly amazing. Being bathed in yellow gold light, with the beats, bass and high chime sounds it just puts you in such a good mood. How anyone could experience that and not smile is beyond me. The finished up their song, and thanked the audience and disappeared behind the curtains. That was it, no more Orbital. I was so grateful that they toured the US and I'm glad I saw them twice and met Paul Hartnoll. Until we meet again. Review #1 - Jim Allen Orbtial played the same set as in England. BUT--now that I know the new album so well, the music took on a grandeur I had missed before. Within three minutes I was in musical heaven as "Way Out" poured out of the speakers. Other highlights: "The Box" and especially "Dr. Who Theme/Chime". Only downside: a computer crash that caused "Style" to stop dead in it's tracks; it kind of killed the momentum but they recovered nicely, with some nice humor ("Um, anybody have a guitar?"). The quality of the music, the stage show and P&P's infectious dancing on stage made for a memorable night. I left a piece of my brain in the Long Beach Convention Center (without chemical aid!!) because Orbital blew it to pieces. Review #3 - Jane Hey I went to last nights show here in Los Angeles at the Long Beach Civic Center . the opening band was great .. and crystal method had some technical problems . But when Orbital came on stage the place went crazy !!...They played all the favorties .. and the crazy clockwork orange intro was wicked !! I was in the front row and kept chearing them on .. Paul must have hear me .. because when i would wave at him he would wave back heehee .. He is totally awsome .. He even took a pic of me at the end of their set he is a total hotte heehe .. But anyways Orbital set off the places and what i most liked about them is that they wave at the crowd something that crystal method did not do.. crystal method didnt even look into the crowd . But Orbital has Kicked ass and is still kicking ass .. and for all thoese music magizine reviews who said that Orbital lost there touch well as for them they can shove it up there ass. |
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