Hecklergigs – Underworld @ Roundhouse, London – 17/10/07

This is one of the few gigs where, days before it started, the emotions of giddiness and excitement were already awash in just about every lucky ticket-holder. Underworld have been performing in various band set-ups for the last 20 years or so. As they have grown up and evolved, so has their performance.

Always known as the “Lager lager lager” band, tonight was a chance for Underworld to show they have more material that should really cement them as a UK dance heavyweight act like The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Massive Attack. Tonight was the planned first night of a three-night residency at the newly-renovated Roundhouse venue in Camden. Unlike a lot of conventional bands, Underworld do not use setlists. Each performance on any given night is unique and thus makes it a little bit more special. While maybe some of the songs may be played on different nights, even the length and structure may be different. Who knows, one night may see hits such as King of Snake begin with the main piano chord before the full weight of the pounding drums and Karl Hyde’s voice are added for the entire package. 

This latest tour is in aid of the duo's newest album Oblivion With Bells. While this is their first studio album in five years, Underworld have been far from quiet. From their last studio offering A Hundred Days Off, the band have scored the soundtracks for two major Hollywood films - the ambient Breaking and Entering in 2006 this year's the more orchestral and emotive Sunshine collaboration with John Murphy. One track that seemed to have made it from the Sunshine soundtrack and onto the new album is the gorgeous but rather short To Heal. Originally demoed to fans via a live webcast a few years ago, it's warmth and depth still remains. However, the original vocal from producer Rick Smith's dad is absent.  

On a par with Radiohead, Underworld have also been releasing their own material without the aid of a record label. Three web-only EP’s containing 30 minutes of music were slowly released in 2005 with 12” releases for those who wanted something a bit more physical. Not quite on familiar ground with past material, but a pleasant listen all the same. For tonight’s gig, there seemed to be something in the air. People jostled and pushed towards the front before the 9pm start. Right on time, the band walked out to a rapturous applause from the extremely mixed audience. It was clear that Underworld have not just retained their initial fan base from the early days, but that they are still winning over new people. For many at least, it appeared to be their first, though hopefully not last, Underworld experience. 

Taking to the stage, Karl Hyde launched into a patchy poem about losing jackets from Manchester – a place where they had gigged the night before. Quietly in the background, the very beginning of Rez was being faded in. Woops and cheers of joy could be heard all round. Underworld were here to start the party in full force and not to mess around.  It seemed to be a night full of dark, beat-heavy numbers with the crowd not getting a moment to relax. Personal highlights of the night was the unreleased track You Do Scribble - a monster of a drum and bass track that came out of nowhere to really test those who came to dance and those who were dragged along to stand at the side. Of course, we have to mention Born Slippy. With a menacing four or five minute build-up, the track came in to a mega reception. Hyde could have gone off for a cuppa as he had the full venue singing back the words to him. 

Very oddly during Two Months Off and Rowla some plastic/rubber tubes were pumped full of air and left to cover the entire stage. The band were lost between them, but this was a nice little touch from the visual department. As the light bounced off the tubes, they lit up and cast patterns around the room. Add some abstract visuals throughout with a frontman who just won’t stop dancing, and you have an amazing performance that can’t really be matched.

Even people not at the gig were enjoying it and still can! In association with Quicktime and Apple, the gig was broadcast live on the internet. Working with Tomato, Underworld’s design company, a live cut and paste between multiple cameras was used to almost bring back the memories of a gig in Germany back in 2005 and the live DVD Everything Everything. Afterwards, CDs of the gig could be ordered so fans could relive the experience over and over again. Because each performance is unique, owning this CD is almost like a treasured memory. Unlike a lot of bootlegs from bands, they never sound the same from night to night and always offer fans what they want. A good time and chance to go fucking mental.