Thursday 28 October 2010

K&D session at Roundhouse London

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Last Friday night saw a bunch of us head to the Roundhouse in Camden for dynamic Austrian duo Kruder and Dorfmeister.

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The ultra-cool bass-loving production geniuses hit the Roundhouse for their first ever London live show! Known for redefining the art of the remix as much as their originals, they showcased why they've attained their international status, coming as they do from a country with a rich history of musical innovation.

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The set they played was awesome. The visuals were the best I've seen all year (if not in the last few...) and the vibe was, well, slightly older and discerning. I could write a review, but David Taylor from the Guardian has done a much better job than I ever could...

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"There's always a concern when producers opt to swap the dark anonymity and hermit-like existence of the recording studio for the bright lights of a "live" stage. Just what are we punters to expect? Electronic music by its very nature involves little in the way of live instrumentation – and everything to the mastery of manipulating banks of coloured knobs in grey boxes. It's hardly an enticing proposition for the traditional gig-goer.

Step forward Kruder & Dorfmeister, Austrian uber-producers and the ice cool duo behind G-Stone recordings. The label's trademark bass-heavy but lush tunes are as likely to be played as background to a hip dinner party than at an underground club. And judging by the largely 30-something crowd politely exchanging small talk before the lights dimmed at the Roundhouse, dessert rather than dancing appears to be a more pressing concern to some.

But, as soon as the first dull throb of bass punches through the darkness and MC Earl Zinger bowls on to the stage, the venue is transformed into the coolest of clubs.

K&D take centre stage amid a constantly morphing, at times retina-scarring light show, that puts just about every other electronica act to shame. The breathtaking visuals provide the perfect psychedelic backdrop to a set that effortlessly blends the best of the pair's past, present and future tunes.

Kicking off with a version of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" before taking in highlights from the classic K&D Sessions album – including superb remixes of Bomb the Bass's "Bug Powder Dust" and Depeche Mode's "Useless" – the duo effortlessly engage the crowd.

Throw in a tongue-in-cheek encore of "Let it Be" – with the lyrics changed to "speaking words of wisdom – K&D", and you can't help but leave the gig with a smile on your face and a spring in your step."

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