MODESELEKTOR

Modeselektor rolled into London for their only UK live gig this year on the back their recently released documentary We Are Modselektor, which provides huge insight into the inner workings of their act, personality and rise to prominence.

And it’s in the grand setting of The Roundhouse where Crack sets up its stall to watch the UK premiere of this film. The biopic sees the genesis of Modeselektor laid bare with Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary’s childhoods presented in the form of old film footage and Polaroid photographs. The film charts their rise from small town German obscurity to arguably the biggest techno act in their country, if not the world. And after an hour of getting to know the more intimate facets of tonight’s headline act, Crack is in more than an anticipatory frame of mind.

Credit to Eastern Electrics and Black Atlantic for booking Modeselektor in this venue. The spherical bowl of The Roundhouse, with its upstairs seating area, means everyone has a superb vantage point. Perhaps our favourite gig venue in the capital, The Roundhouse’s acoustics and modern renovation has made it the venue of choice for a band on the rise and for bigger acts wanting that more intimate setting.

Tonight support comes from German electronic stalwarts Mouse On Mars, whose abstract techno is a perfect mood channeller for the consistently immersive sounds of Apparat, whose set draws primarily on solo material, tracks from his DJ-Kicks compilation, and anything that takes you deeper within yourself.

After blowing our collective craniums with their set at Sonar last year, we were hoping for a similar fare from this capital showcase. It didn’t disappoint, a Modeselektor rattle through more or less everything that has sonically made them one of the most entertaining acts in the world. The techno is immediate, fun and loaded with drops. From the utter abrasiveness of Evil Twin and German Clap, to the guaranteed crowd pleaser of Kill Bill Vol.4 (complete with the now obligatory champagne corking and subsequent soaking of the front row), it’s reaffirmed that there isn’t an act in techno who generate this level of unadulterated fun at their gigs.

The distorted dialogues in between tracks are this time delivered with Gernot sounding like Pinky and Perky as opposed to Lord Sauron as Crack had witnessed at previous shows. You just can’t help but be enamoured by them. The Pfadfinderei visuals work especially well on the semi-iconic Pretentious Friends and the awesome Shipwreck complete with Thom Yorke’s vocals. Crack takes its place in the Gods of The Roundhouse for the second half of the set, and we’re completely blown away by the whole experience. Techno doesn’t always work outside the club or tent setting, but tonight it hits every spot.

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Words: Thomas Frost

Photos: Sophia Whitfield