the We Love Underworld thread

[Enjoyed]

Now hopefully the pre-order isn't hell

You may be overestimating America's desire for UK, dare I say, legacy electronic acts.

I'm super hyped, don't get me wrong. But also equally surprised that they are coming to PORTLAND of all places. Booking agents must know something I don't!

[ThePumisher]

[Enjoyed]

Lovely little video.

Bless little Ricky pretending to sing during Dark Train.

Definitely getting me hyped up for the shows in May.
Man, I really fucking hope they play Pearl's Girl. I've never been able to lose it live to that one.

[Bosco]

Hey has anyone experienced taking a guest to an Underworld show who really have no association with them? I'm not talking about significant others that maybe endure the experience, but rather a friend who likes the concept of live music and partying but has zero experience with electronic acts or never been to a rave...

Am I overthinking it? I'm a little cautious because I've done this with people for a Chem Bros show and I left not enjoying the concert as much. Also, this is the first time in 20+ years that they'll play in Chicago, so this could be my final chance without traveling to see them.

Note: I haven't seen Underworld live yet either.

Also Note: this person wanted to go see NIN with me, but because of cost and ticket availability we have that on hold. Thus, why I'm trying to pivot to this concert.

[Wolkenkrabber]

Also, this is the first time in 20+ years that they'll play in Chicago, so this could be my final chance without traveling to see them.

Note: I haven't seen Underworld live yet either.

Gotta go!
Assuming it's a gig you can get home from without having to stay in a hotel or something, I'd say: just resolve to go to the gig, then ask the other person if they want to come with.
If they don't know Underworld, then they can listen to tracks on the Setlist FM site, or maybe 3 or 4 tracks that you know Underworld will play. Let them decide if they want to go. If they go and don't like it, then that was their decision, not yours.

I suspect there won't be a proper support band, probably a DJ. So you could turn up by yourself 5 mins before kick off. Once the gig is under way it won't matter if you're by yourself. Get a standing ticket and dance yer ass off.

[Bosco]

Appreciate the encouragement, but I'm definitely going already.

I'm more focused on the dilemma of whether I invite someone outside of the bubble, and is it worth it. I have a feeling if I present that Sydney Opera House clip that @ThePumisher just posted (which is an amazingly edited production, btw), my friend will definitely say yes.

[Enjoyed]

Let them decide if they want to go. If they go and don't like it, then that was their decision, not yours.

I really like this way of looking at it.

I personally would almost certainly decide to go solo. The pressure of whether they're having a good time would really put a damper on the whole experience I think, and that's just not fun for either party.

Making it more of an 'I'll be there, come if you'd like' kind of thing could definitely take a little bit of that pressure off - though I think I'd personally still feel like it was partly my responsibility to make sure they're having a good time.

Tough one! If it's the only opportunity to go to a show with this person, and there's a chance they'd enjoy it (especially if they end up getting something out of the Sydney show) then it seems like a decently safe bet! Plus, if they're just a good fun person to be around then the show wont be quite as important. I can think of a handful of people that I'd maybe invite to a show, almost regardless of whether I thought it would really be there scene - because they are just so easy and fun to be around. So if that describes this person, then hell yeah!

[shakermaker]

I sympathize with the dilemma. When I invite others who aren't independently interested, I often find myself preoccupied at the show over whether they are having a good time or not. It's wonderful to share experiences with people, but it's also liberating to not have to worry about others. When I do invite others I tend to put out some bait and see if they bite, mention I am going and see if I can detect some independent interest before really "inviting" them.

One thing I've always appreciated about communities like this one is the ability to congregate with others knowing they'd be there even if I wasn't, I can share the experience with people confident that they are there of their own accord.

[Bosco]

Double your pleasure, double your fun!
(Two sets for all NA dates)

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[shakermaker]

ooh this is going to be fun. no opener, underworld all night, and a chance to use the bathroom without missing anything.

[Bosco]

After 20+ years of waiting, my Underworld Live itch has finally been scratched!

So happy to see majority of the US dates sold out. I was not expecting to see such a loyal and emotional crowd. It was definitely a more mature and alternative evening, but certainly some youth sprinkled in, who enjoyed it just as much as the old-heads.

courtesy gag removed


Top moment has to go to, Tin There. I've never heard this track before and it was an absolute loopy experience. The song is a whirlwind of fast and hard hitting rolling techno, and they somehow matched the lighting to spin and feel like you're in a rave tornado. The crowd collectively caught onto the madness as the song progressed. Thank goodness they used it to close out the first set in case someone had an epilepsy emergency. I don't think I'll ever experience a moment like that again! Holy smokes!

Enjoyed the mix of Confusion the Waitress/Low Burn. In a set where there really is no segues this was a nice little fusion. On that note no Rez (at ALL! )/Cowgirl.

I really, really, really like Gene Pool from the new record. It absolutely is not an opener. The melodic loop (see, NES Final Fantasy 'Prelude') is a warming and inviting start, but the emotional undertones of the track is absolutely DEAD when forced at the start of the show. I feel very strong they should wedge this track in-between Moaner and Born Slippy (Nuxx). It's a breather after the onslaught that is Moaner, and resets the crowd for the jubilation of Born Slippy (Nuxx).

So what would be a better opener, you ask? Well, In the spirit of pushing the new material. I absolutely think the show should open with Karl out in the spotlight doing the Denver Luna (Acappella) which then could lead in to the main track, Denver Luna.

Great night, great crowd. The venue (Radius) is only a couple years old and was very nice and clean. You'll hear a lot of stories how the sound for the Radius was AMAZING! I would say don't believe that hype. The vocals were completely muddled throughout the night. Clear vocals not exactly a MUST for Underworld, but something I think is overlooked when grading sound at music venues.

All in all, Underworld Live was great. I think it's great news they sold out a venue here in Chicago that caps out at 4,000. With that in the books, I would imagine they're now on the radar for an act to book at local electronic music festivals, should they want to come back.

Oh yeah, no lasers on this tour. Is this a US only thing? I was fully waiting for the laser show during King of Snake. What the heck?

[Bosco]

I updated my previous post.

Here are the setlist for all the US dates minus Lightning in a Bottle festal in Bakersfield California

Set 1

• Gene Pool
• Confusion the Waitress / Low Burn
• Dirty Epic
• Techno Shinkansen
• Push Upstairs
• Kittens
• Juanita 2022
• Tin There

Set 2

• Jumbo
• Denver Luna
• STAR
• Pearl's Girl
• Dark and Long (Dark Train)
• Two Months Off
• Cowgirl
• And the Colour Red
• King of Snake
• Border Country
• Arpeggio12 (Ki/Ki)
• Moaner
• Born Slippy Nuxx

[ThePumisher]

Live at Pinkpop 1999

[ThePumisher]

Live at Pinkpop 1999

Always when i see older concerts i wish there would be a general ban for phones on concerts. Yes, in that case we won't get those snipets of posible new Chems material, but people would start enyoing the show again rather than focusing on to get the best shot for social media to tell people they where there (but haven't been there 100%) or to steady the cam so its not too shaky (and then never watch the footage again).

[Bosco]

Always when i see older concerts i wish there would be a general ban for phones on concerts. Yes, in that case we won't get those snipets of posible new Chems material, but people would start enyoing the show again rather than focusing on to get the best shot for social media to tell people they where there (but haven't been there 100%) or to steady the cam so its not too shaky (and then never watch the footage again).

I hear ya, but then there is acts like Underworld (and Chems) who haven't toured your area in over 20+ years, and who knows if they ever return, so capturing videos as a keepsake is all some fans can do.