Leftfield – Powerstation January 30, 2018

0

Leftfield lifted the house roof off at the packed Powerstation playing their influential album Leftism end-to-end, 23 years to the day it was released.

I have to fess up now I didn’t really know the band or much about its impact on progressive house music, much to the disgust of my friends. Clearly I must have been following the “Brit Pop” bands at the time and, being slightly older than their target audience, they simply went under my radar.

When I arrived at the gig the DJ was warming up the punters with his own mix as a growing dance floor filled to capacity by the time Leftfield finally hit the stage. The crowd was a mix of young and, well, let’s say mature fans who clearly were ready and waiting for the band to really kick the night off.

The three band members, Neil Barnes keyboards, bongos and guitar, Adam Wren, mixing and programming, and Nick Rice on drums, started the show with what could only be called an assault on all the senses.  The lighting, video, and music was well choreographed and flooded across the stage to the awaiting audience before the opening beats of Release The Pressure sent the crowd into a frenzy. Two vocalists joined the stage and, notwithstanding an early issue with the microphone (don’t think he turned it on), all was restored and the album was on its way.

There was no interaction from the band (and none was expected) as they slipped into Afro Left and were joined by a new vocalist, and from there they really got into their stride, especially Nick on drums. He did a power of work through the whole gig and, to me, was the standout for the night.

The rest of the gig followed the track listing of the album, with video being used from past vocalists Toni Halliday of Curve and Scylla) singing Original and my favourite track of the night by a mile being Open Up sung by the one and only John Lydon from The Sex Pistols and PIL fame.

This song in particular took the night to a new level and left the punters in a very happy place with all the elements I love coming together: a mixture of guitar, bass, drums and some snarling vocals.

I caught myself thinking during the night, while not my particular taste in music, they still sound as relevant now as any artist or band they have influenced since Leftism was first released.  Which is a credit to them and the audience really embraced the music as if it was the first time they had heard it.

Seriously though, these guys were great even to the uninitiated like my good self.  I think I was the only one there that didn’t know their work, but I could see why this album and band still draws a massive crowd wherever they go.

Given the audience reaction and feedback during the night, most left feeling pretty pleased with themselves. There were sure to be some sore bodies and ears still ringing in the morning, but that’s a small price to pay and should remind them how good Leftfield still are. It might even lead me to go and buy their album.

David Boyle

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Reuben Raj:

 

 

 

The 13th Floor
Latest posts by The 13th Floor (see all)