Orbital: Live Festival Date at Radius Chicago with Tone Ranger Greg Haus

3/27/2024

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Radius Chicago Saturday - March 23, 2024

Orbital-
Phil and Paul Hartnoll.
A show in Chicago, only amongst three dates total before their appearance at Coachella this coming April.
How lucky are we.
Even though they don't go on until a bit after midnight, like most prominent EDM artists are prone to do.

I assume it makes things more "Festival Like", like their promo for the show suggests.
The other title for the tour- from their web homepage- "Orbital: Green/ Brown Album Tour 2024".
Yes, their set at Radius included prominent songs from both albums, dating back to the "Green Album"- dating back to 1991, then followed by the "Brown Album", which was released in 1993.
Guess what?
They don't sound dated whatsoever.

Songs included from both albums were mostly buried in the set, such as "Belfast", "Chime", "Lush" (which was the encore), "Impact (The Earth is Burning)" (With a Greta Thunberg sample), and "Halcyon and On and On" (Samples: Bon Jovi and Belinda Carlisle).

The bulk of the set is on their latest release- "Optical Delusion", from February of 2023- and they are equal to the heavy hitter bangers of the past- the Hartnoll brothers having not skipped a beat.
When they're ready to release any songs whatsoever, whether they be album cuts, single promos, extended remixes- all of it is well thought out, sent forth with polish and clean, ready for the brave new world to pounce and discover and always wanting more.
The overall stage aesthetic- a simple setup, machines prominent, synths and sample prominent, elegant steal table to hold all the equipment, along with a shelved vertical rack to Paul's left.

The rest is a clean stage, with of course a gigantic LED backdrop immediately behind the Hartnoll brothers, ever evident to display exquisite graphics and video, making you fully immersed in the world of their sound and visuals.
It works on so many levels, including the gigantic PA brought in for this show- the breakbeat thumps and twists and turns equal in amazement from the soundboard towards the back as to like eight rows of people deep from the stage.
Ventured everywhere possible on the main floor, including the pit, to capture Phil and Paul doing their thing, head led flashlights full on throughout the proceedings.
Orbital- their catalog, that beautiful catalog from over the years - just so approachable, even for ambient fare.

They succeed so well with captivating and solid melodies- melodies with a message, both environmental and also political.
The Hartnoll brothers expand and expand sonically, year after year, without losing their initial innocence without confounding expectations and going all out aggressive- (even though the occasional song ("Dirty Rat") can induce that claim.
But it's not like that throughout their catalog- they pounce when they feel the need to.
It truly depends on their desires to convey whatever message of angst comes to mind- and proceed from there.

As for "Dirty Rat", sung by Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods- a juggernaut of a song, with a bit of punk rock, but still a full on ranging dance track- the kind of song where you want to mix it up a bit with your next door neighbor standing right next to you.
A song of caffeinated energy, and lyrics that have a bite, and breakbeats and mixes with a punch.
That song, number four on the setlist, just amped up everything on the main floor where I was standing- people moving to the beats manically like me.
Damn good fun- the kinda of song that should never end- just extend extend, with Jason's gnarly face prominently displayed on the LED screen behind the brothers.
The festival show was like this in overall feel visually, with bangers such as "Satan/ Beelzedub", followed by "Requiem for the Pre- Apocalypse", amongst others.
All of these songs with a solid message - intellectual exercises involving left brain/ right brain- meant for everyone, especially the connoisseurs of all things "electronica".
Can't give a higher recommendation than that.
The Hartnoll brothers are that good, that well thought out, that polished.
All the while by the looks of things, having fun and a damn good time, equal to their fanatical fanbase on the main floor.
That show could've gone on all night I tell ya- and they have the albums dating back to 1991 to back that up, with again, nothing dated whatsoever.
Gotta love the Hartnoll brothers.
Opener Greg Haus-
Got there nice and early, when the doors opened at 10pm to catch his set.
A well thought out mix for that hour he had.
Had a nice exchange on my Facebook page with Greg, posting some photos of him performing and such.
But Greg said it best in response, and I would rather he explain things on his approach opening for Orbital: "About 2/3rds of my set were '90's and early 2000's electronica, progressive house and trance tracks, which seemed appropriate for the crowd. Orbital were absolutely phenomenal".
That's Greg for ya- Well thought out, wearing his heart on his sleeve.
All n' all- a most memorable night throughout, with a sophisticated venue such as Radius, and a PA with a wallop.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Orbital, The Green/ Brown Tour 2024, Paul Hartnoll, Phil Hartnoll, Greg Haus, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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Orbital: Live Festival Date at Radius Chicago with Tone Ranger Greg Haus

Orbital, The Green/ Brown Tour 2024, Paul Hartnoll, Phil Hartnoll, Greg Haus, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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