Orbital, Manchester Apollo. 20th December 2018

Orbital had quite a task tonight, one of wrapping up my 2018 gig calendar. So how did they fare in a venue that less than a week ago, witnessed the meteoric rise of Manchester’s very own Slow Readers Club. Well first up was Plaid, now I was somewhat obsessed with their Double Figure album back in 2001 and whilst their stuff sounded quite bright and angular back then, now it’s much different. I don’t know if it’s just looking at it through today’s lens, but tracks sound almost dystopian now, with the building crowd slotting into place and resuming an rhythmic collective head-bob, transfixed by the three blokes on stage. Well worth getting in early for. But why have three blokes with laptops and decks when you can have two. The Hartnoll brothers take to the stage to a blistering light show and the retina searing visuals don’t let up for the next two hours. Layer that with the bone pulverising bass and you’ve got a full on sensory assault. It’s pure euphoric magnificence. Granted I think there’s a good 50% of the set I didn’t know, but it matters little, whether it’s blissed out or bangers, it’s brilliant and a fantastic way to wrap up the year. Now, where can I get some of those glasses!!?