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ORBITAL
06 April 2023
Cambridge Corn, Cambridge
Spring was in the air as I entered the Cambridge Corn
Exchange on this sunny mid-week evening, and I was not surprised to
be surrounded by aging ravers ready to rip it up to the magical beats
of the Hartnoll brothers – aka Orbital. These boys have been
at the forefront of electronic music since the late 1980s. Their unique
blend of techno, house, and ambient music has earned them a dedicated
following, and their live performances are legendary.
The Corn Exchange was packed with fans, many of whom had been eagerly
anticipating this performance for weeks. As the lights dimmed, the
crowd erupted into cheers and applause, and the Hartnoll brothers
took to the stage - the energy in the room was palpable. The band's
signature blend of pulsing beats, hypnotic melodies, and ethereal
soundscapes was on full display, and the crowd responded with an outpouring
of enthusiasm.
From the first notes of the opening track ‘Smiley’, one
of the classics from their repertoire, it was clear that this was
going to be an exceptional show. The brothers' mastery of electronic
instruments was evident from the start, as they created a mesmerizing
soundscape that enveloped the audience and they seamlessly blended
a range of textures and sounds into a cohesive and immersive whole.
The beats were propulsive and hypnotic, and the melodies were haunting
as they dropped.
One of the highlights of the show was the incredible visuals. The
stage was filled with banks of lights, lasers, and video screens,
all perfectly synchronized to the music. The effect was mesmerizing,
and it was impossible not to be swept up in the sensory overload.
The visuals were not just eye candy, however - they also added a powerful
emotional resonance to the music, creating a truly immersive experience
for the old ravers and their memories from the early 1990s.
The setlist for the night was a perfect mix of old and new. Orbital
has been making music for over three decades, and they have an impressive
back catalogue to draw from. They played classics like ‘Chime’,
‘Belfast’, and ‘Halcyon’, alongside newer tracks
from their recent album ‘Optical Delusion’ such as ‘Dirty
Rat’ (featuring Sleaford Mods) and ‘Requiem for the Pre-Apocalypse’.
The crowd responded with equal enthusiasm to both the old and new
material, showing that Orbital's music has truly stood the test of
time.
One of the standout moments of the night was the performance of ‘Satan’,
a track that built slowly to a thundering crescendo before dropping
into a frenzied dance beat that had the entire crowd jumping. The
brothers' chemistry as performers was also evident, as they worked
together seamlessly, feeding off each other's energy and pushing each
other to new heights.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the performance, however, was
the sense of connection between the performers and the audience of
old ravers. Orbital has always been known for their ability to create
a sense of community and shared experience among their fans, and this
concert was no exception. The Hartnoll brothers were clearly having
a great time on stage, and they made sure to engage with the crowd
throughout the show.
As the concert came to a close, the brothers thanked the crowd for
their support and left the stage to a standing ovation. But the crowd
wasn't ready to let them go just yet. The band returned for an encore
performance of ‘Lush’ and ‘Out There Somewhere’,
a track that has become a fan favourite over the years.
In conclusion, Orbital's concert was an incredible experience. The
combination of high-energy music, stunning visuals, and expertly executed
performance created a truly immersive experience that left the crowd
buzzing with excitement. The Hartnoll brothers proved that they are
still at the top of their game after all these years, and their music
continues to be as relevant and powerful as ever.
If you have the chance to see Orbital live on this 2023
tour, I highly recommend that you do so - you won't regret it!
Dan Sly
www.chockyboyzmedia.com
Words and Pics by Dan Sly
www.chockyboyzmedia.com
Big thanks to Thom at Sonic PR for arranging this
for us.
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