There are some bands whose records simply aren’t designed to be played quietly. Leftfield are one of them.
For more than three decades they have been creating electronic music with enough power, atmosphere and low-end frequencies to test the structural integrity of buildings. Their influence on dance music, electronica and countless artists who followed in their wake is impossible to overstate, so when the opportunity arose to see them live in Glasgow, there was never much chance of me staying at home.
In a rare moment of practicality, I had managed to secure tickets for the disabled section. With my dodgy back occasionally reminding me that it has its own opinions about standing through entire concerts, having access to a seat at the back of the hall seemed like a sensible plan.
The flaw in that plan became apparent almost immediately.
No sooner had I arrived than I noticed the front barrier and realised it offered all the support I could possibly need. Why sit comfortably at the back of the venue when I could stand at the front and lean on a metal rail while being bombarded by some of the most powerful electronic music ever recorded? The answer seemed obvious.
Emma may have had a different view.
Of course, the moment Leftfield took to the stage, practical considerations ceased to matter. The sound was immense. Their music has always possessed a physical quality that goes far beyond simply listening. You don’t just hear it; you feel it. Bass frequencies travel through the floor, rhythms lock into place and before long the entire audience becomes part of the same experience.
What has always impressed me about Leftfield is how timeless their music remains. While electronic music trends have come and gone over the years, tracks such as Release the Pressure, Song of Life, Open Up and Phat Planet still sound fresh, powerful and completely relevant. Few artists can claim that level of longevity without becoming trapped by nostalgia.
The crowd certainly weren’t interested in sitting quietly and analysing the finer details. This was a concert designed to be experienced physically. Heads nodded, bodies moved and the atmosphere steadily built as the set progressed. By the end of the night it felt less like a performance and more like a shared act of sonic endurance.
Looking back, the disabled seating arrangement turned out to be entirely appropriate. I did make use of support throughout the evening. It just happened to be the barrier at the front rather than the chair I had been allocated.
My back may not always appreciate my concert-going decisions, but on this occasion it managed to survive long enough for me to enjoy one of the most powerful live electronic acts around.
The videos and photographs below capture some of the evening, although no recording can truly convey the sheer force of Leftfield in full flight. Some bands are heard. Leftfield are felt.
The Photos
Cheers!
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