Orbital, the legendary electronic duo from Kent, delivered a spectacular show at the Manchester O2 Apollo on December 20, 2018. The brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll, who have been making music together since the late 1980s, showcased their latest album Monsters Exist, as well as some of their classic hits, in a dazzling display of lights, lasers, and sounds.
This was my first time seeing Orbital. I missed out on seeing in the 90s with my mates. They did not disappoint. The support act was Plaid, who I'd seen before but in a smaller, more intimate venue.
The show started with an intro by Professor Brian Cox, the famous physicist and TV presenter, who praised Orbital for their scientific and artistic inspiration. The crowd cheered as the brothers appeared on stage, wearing their trademark head-mounted torches, and launched into the title track of their new album, Monsters Exist. The song, which features a sample of Cox saying “we are potentially surrounded by monsters”, set the tone for the night: a thrilling journey through the cosmos, with Orbital as our guides.
The setlist was a balanced mix of old and new, with songs from their first two albums, Orbital (Green Album) and Orbital (Brown Album), as well as from their recent comeback albums, Wonky and Monsters Exist. The fans were treated to some of their favourites, such as Impact (The Earth Is Burning), Wonky, Satan, Halcyon + On + On, and Chime, as well as some surprises, such as Copenhagen, a tribute to the late Danish DJ and producer Avicii, and The Girl With The Sun In Her Head, a beautiful ambient track dedicated to the environmental activist group Greenpeace.
The highlight of the show was undoubtedly the encore, where Orbital played their iconic version of Belfast, a song that has become synonymous with their live performances. The song, which features a haunting vocal sample from the Irish singer Clannad, was accompanied by a stunning visual of the night sky, with stars and planets moving across the screen. The audience sang along to the wordless chorus, creating a magical moment of unity and emotion.
The show ended with Where Is It Going, a fitting finale for a band that has always been ahead of their time, and a question that resonates with their fans, who hope to see them again soon. Orbital proved once again that they are masters of their craft, and that their music is timeless and universal. As Professor Cox said in his intro, “Orbital are one of the reasons why I love science, and why I love music”. And after witnessing their stellar show, I couldn’t agree more.
Setlist:
- Intro (Professor Brian Cox)
- Monsters Exist
- There Will Come a Time
- Impact (The Earth Is Burning)
- P.H.U.K.
- Wonky
- Tiny Foldable Cities
- Satan
- Hoo Hoo Ha Ha
- Halcyon + On + On
- Vision OnE
- Belfast
- The End Is Nigh
- Doctor?
- Chime
- Where Is It Going?
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