138 replies to this topic

[godders1966]

Anyone seen Orbital live before?  

What should I expect from a Glasto performance from them?  When was the last time they played there? Do they put on an impressive light show (like Chem Bros)?

I'm familiar with some of their studio work but never seen them live.

Any comments gratefully received as we need to decide our headline act for the Sunday.  Thanks.

[ukslim]

I don't normally like electronica acts live, but I love Orbital.

Their big visual signature is the famous dual head torch specs. So you can see them bobbing around tending to their various machines.

There's a big lightshow, but it's classy, like. With a big back projection that matches the music. Lovely.

[t0paz]

But trust me, it was better live

[musiclove123]

godders1966, on May 6 2010, 11:05 AM, said:

Anyone seen Orbital live before?  

What should I expect from a Glasto performance from them?  When was the last time they played there? Do they put on an impressive light show (like Chem Bros)?

I'm familiar with some of their studio work but never seen them live.

Any comments gratefully received as we need to decide our headline act for the Sunday.  Thanks.

I have never seen them live but the youtube vids look fab!

I am very excited    

[Breeze]

godders1966, on May 6 2010, 11:05 AM, said:

Anyone seen Orbital live before?  

What should I expect from a Glasto performance from them?  When was the last time they played there? Do they put on an impressive light show (like Chem Bros)?

I'm familiar with some of their studio work but never seen them live.

Any comments gratefully received as we need to decide our headline act for the Sunday.  Thanks.

I'm sure Lucy will be along to share her OCD shortly too

Have lost count of the number of times I've seen them.

Light show will be just as good as Chems, music (IMHO) will be even better - though some other diehards may argue they have gone off the boil a bit since they disbanded in 2004.

In short they're the best live dance act I've seen.

[Filthy]

They are brilliant live, so brilliant even though I saw them 3 times last year I'm still in two minds about Stevie even though all logic says I should be at the pyramid at all costs. A bit juddery but this was on youtube from last year:

[russycarps]

they are still ok but absolutely nowhere near as good as they used to be. I would never seen them at glasto again as I wouldnt want to tarnish the memories of them I have

shame really

[ukslim]

russycarps, on May 6 2010, 11:36 AM, said:

they are still ok but absolutely nowhere near as good as they used to be. I would never seen them at glasto again as I wouldnt want to tarnish the memories of them I have

shame really

This is similar logic to a friend of mine who came to Glastonbury 1995, had a wonderful time, then refused to ever come again, in case it spoiled the memories.

Sheer madness.

[russycarps]

ukslim, on May 6 2010, 11:51 AM, said:

This is similar logic to a friend of mine who came to Glastonbury 1995, had a wonderful time, then refused to ever come again, in case it spoiled the memories.

Sheer madness.

that is extreme.

I saw orbital last year at some snowboard thing in battersea in london and it was just a shadow of their former glory. Seeing them at glastonbury as they are now would just make me sad

[godders1966]

russycarps, on May 6 2010, 10:59 AM, said:

that is extreme.

I saw orbital last year at some snowboard thing in battersea in london and it was just a shadow of their former glory. Seeing them at glastonbury as they are now would just make me sad

I don't really understand.  How can they change that much?  Surely they are still the same two blokes pressing the same buttons aren't they.  It what way have they changed so much?

[The Nal]

russycarps, on May 6 2010, 11:59 AM, said:

that is extreme.

I saw orbital last year at some snowboard thing in battersea in london and it was just a shadow of their former glory. Seeing them at glastonbury as they are now would just make me sad

Saw them too in a small arena in Dublin, a nothing gig compared to Glasto in 04 but I think it had more to do with the venue.

[Filthy]

I saw them at Get Loaded, Brixton and "the snowboard thing". The weakest performance was probably the big freeze but I thought in the main they were right up there Middle of Nowhere era performances. They certainly weren't as bad as you're making out, in my opinion

Edited by Filthy, 06 May 2010 - 11:31 AM.

[ThomThomDrum]

godders1966, on May 6 2010, 12:14 PM, said:

It what way have they changed so much?

I think its more peoples impressions TBH. A lot of people did not like the fact that they returned after their farewell tour.

People may have been up for the "farewell tour" more so then the now precived "cashing in" tour and so the crowds dont get into it as much........

Some dont like tunes such as "Dr ?" & "Heaven is a place on Earth" when played live (or at all!) and think they cheapen themselves with them.........

People who have always liked them are probably a little older and mature now and dont "go as mad" as they did back in their youth.......

I personally will take em as they are still. Better than no Orbital. They have some real gems and classics and if you are going hell for leather at one of their gigs with some like minded mates it could still be a cracker!

I have managed to see them twice since the return and attended the gigs with guys who had never managed to first time around..........They were blown away thinking they where unreal, whereas those who saw them before had mixed reviews.........I personally had two great nights

But they (Orbital) are probably like pills...........you will never forget your first time and will always compare future experiences to it...........

Edited by ThomThomDrum, 06 May 2010 - 11:36 AM.

[Filthy]

ThomThomDrum, on May 6 2010, 12:32 PM, said:

I think its more peoples impressions TBH. A lot of people did not like the fact that they returned after their farewell tour.

People may have been up for the "farewell tour" more so then the now precived "cashing in" tour and so the crowds dont get into it as much........

Some dont like tunes such as "Dr ?" & "Heaven is a place on Earth"and think they cheapened themselves with them.........

People who have always liked them are probably a little older and mature now and dont "go as mad" as they did back in their youth.......

I personally will still take em as they are still. Better than no Orbital. They have some real gems and classics and if you are going hell for leather at one of their gigs with some like minded mates it could still be a cracker!

I have managed to see them twice since the return and attended the gigs with guys who had never managed to first time around..........They were blown away thinking they where unreal, whereas those who saw them before had mixed reviews.........I personally had two great nights

But they (Orbital) are probably like pills...........you will never forget your first time and will always compare future experiences to it...........

An excellent summary. I meant to mention people I'd been with who hadn't seen them before, they were incredibly impressed and finally understood why we'd been banging on about them for ages!

[vinylvictim]

godders1966, on May 6 2010, 11:14 AM, said:

I don't really understand.  How can they change that much?  Surely they are still the same two blokes pressing the same buttons aren't they.  It what way have they changed so much?

This is probably why it can be a bit disappointing.

They are the same guys, pressing the same buttons. I saw some of their set last year at Rockness, then again in Glasgow later in the year and although their set was a bit different,  there's not been much progression since the last gig at t in 2004.

When you've got a lot of fond memories of an act and they trot out the same routine,  it's not cutting edge anymore and somehow doesn't thrill like it did the first time, when you were younger and impressionable

edit: Orbital are still one my favourites though and i'm struggling with my conscience on the Stevie/Orbital thing

Edited by vinylvictim, 06 May 2010 - 11:37 AM.

[vinylvictim]

ThomThomDrum, on May 6 2010, 11:32 AM, said:

I think its more peoples impressions TBH. A lot of people did not like the fact that they returned after their farewell tour.

People may have been up for the "farewell tour" more so then the now precived "cashing in" tour and so the crowds dont get into it as much........

Some dont like tunes such as "Dr ?" & "Heaven is a place on Earth" when played live (or at all!) and think they cheapen themselves with them.........

People who have always liked them are probably a little older and mature now and dont "go as mad" as they did back in their youth.......

I personally will take em as they are still. Better than no Orbital. They have some real gems and classics and if you are going hell for leather at one of their gigs with some like minded mates it could still be a cracker!

I have managed to see them twice since the return and attended the gigs with guys who had never managed to first time around..........They were blown away thinking they where unreal, whereas those who saw them before had mixed reviews.........I personally had two great nights

But they (Orbital) are probably like pills...........you will never forget your first time and will always compare future experiences to it...........

This says it better than i did  

[ukslim]

godders1966, on May 6 2010, 12:14 PM, said:

I don't really understand.  How can they change that much?  Surely they are still the same two blokes pressing the same buttons aren't they.  It what way have they changed so much?

I assume you can see how a guitar act could deteriorate over time.

It always seemed as if there was more of a connection between what Orbital did with their equipment, and what sounds came out of the system, than with other electronic acts. I can't put my finger on why it seemed like that way, but it did.

So maybe they've lost whatever passion caused them to tweak the 303 cutoff and resonance knobs *just so*, or something. <shrug>

[IamChappu]

Have to say that I'm one of those who don't think they're quite what they used to be....

Have seen them many many times including at Glastonbury & used to think that they were one of the best acts live.  But then I went to see them after their return and I left feeling underwhelmed.  Can't quite put my finger on but something seemed to be missing.....

That said though they are still good live so if you've not seen them before, they are well worth checking out!

[godders1966]

Thanks for all your comments.

It seems that I'd better go and see them (at least once, if nothing else).

I've tried to get into Stevie Wonder and failed.  He has some gems like 'Sir Duke', 'Master Blaster' and 'Lately' etc but when I hear 'Happy Birthday', 'Ebony and Ivory' or 'I Just Called to Say I Love You' I literally cringe.

So Glasto 2010 will finish with Orbital for me.

[festival_badger]

russycarps, on May 6 2010, 11:59 AM, said:

that is extreme.

I saw orbital last year at some snowboard thing in battersea in london and it was just a shadow of their former glory. Seeing them at glastonbury as they are now would just make me sad

I was at the gig at Battersea and must admit I loved it. Was right at the front for both Pendulem and Orbital and had an amazing time.  Although admittedlyI had never seen them before.

I am quite tempted to watch them again at Glasto, but this will probably be the only time I'll get the opportunity to watch Stevie play.