Hypnotized by Underworld in Central Park
New York has not experienced an Underworld show since 2003, so it was a long-awaited reunion between fervant fans and band last Friday when the group took the stage at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Presented by Made Event, the performance felt like discovering religion at a multimedia dance party. Vocalist Karl Hyde was a magnificant human disco-ball that evening, coming out on stage in a shiny, silver-sequined button-down shirt and hypnotizing the audience with his echoing vocals and dance moves. Along with keyboardists/programmers Rick Smith and Darren Price, the group performed their unique blend of electronica from various albums, alternating between trippy, dreamlike sequences and thumping, militant beats. The giant, inflatable glowstick-like sculptures came out during Two Months Off, which intensified the video imagery already whirling in the background. But it was towards the end of their show, when the Trainspotting soundtrack classic, Born Slippy, made its way into the set, that old-school post-ravers got nostalgic as they danced to the familiar anthem. The last song was Jumbo, a sweet contrast to how they ended their set at a performance in 2002, when they chose to play Dinosaur Adventure; the song doesnt read like a war protest but has the term war machine in the lyrics and was very abrupt the way it ended, a sudden halt followed by an uneasy tone in Karls voice. Given the events at the time, he didnt want people to leave the show in party spirit, but rather, introspective. So Karl Hyde/Underworld conveyed a happier, more hopeful vibe to NYC this time around. Preceding Underworld was the spare, minimal techno sounds of James Holden. Drastically more mellow in stage presence in comparison to his stage counterparts, Holden holds his own and bangs out a solid, sturdy set.
As if one outdoors show in a week isnt enough, [Made Event] will also bring another big electronic act, the Chemical Brothers, with Ladytron, to everyones favorite Williamsburg pool this Saturday. Another spacious, outdoors opportunity to get your grooves on, this time to the Big Beat sensibilities of funky Englishmen Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. If the outdoors event isnt your thing and youd rather slink around in the dark recesses of a club, the Chemical Brothers will also be performing Friday night at Hammerstein Ballroom.
Photo by Peter Philips