THE ORB
The Fleece, Bristol | June 29th
An opportunity to see legends and pioneers of UK electronic music The Orb, in an intimate but classic gig venue such as The Fleece, warming up for their Glastonbury sets with all the audio and visual trappings you could have wished for … stop everything.
This evening was inevitably sold out, with a crowd mostly featuring the older electronic connoisseur – a generation ahead, well seasoned and ready for more. The Orb has been doing this thing since 1988, and although a roll call of members including founder Jimmy Cauty have moved on, fellow founder Alex Paterson and the mighty Swiss-German producer Thomas Fehlmann are going strong.
Local pair Okaay Deejay were a fine choice up first, offering 90s cuts, golden age Ninja Tune selections such as Timber by Hexstatic and label bosses Coldcut, to 80s electro. It was a fitting introduction, thoughtfully spanning the eclectic narrative of a scene, even a cultural revolution, that The Orb have presided over for a quarter of a century, and was suitably well received.
The Orb stepped onto the smallest stage you’re ever likely to see them on and proceed to smash it, kicking off with atmospheric vibes of old, melting into a bouncy dub vibe more akin of their recent work alongside Lee Scratch Perry. They stylishly segued into some uplifting 90s dance, with visuals working overtime alongside great use of audio samples, akin to a hip-hop DJ mixtape.
The set took on a more serious tone in the form of steady, minimal basslines, sampled with tribal drums, vocals and visuals. Treble tones fluttered at head height, accompanied by straight-to-the-gut bass impact. The pair later worked in Fehlmann’s own hip-hop/IDM melding track Feat as the foundation for a celebratory reggae mash up. The throbbing crowd took it all in, embracing the shifting sounds and tempos of the night; as many of them have for The Orb over the last 25 years.
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Words: Claude Barbé-Brown
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