Offset Records

Pendulum @ Newcastle

A couple of years ago the drum and bass band from Australia; Pendulum, came to Newcastle and played at the, then, Carling Academy (now the O2 Academy). They had just released their second album, In Silico and were on a world tour I guess. It was a bit of a surprise that they were playing the Carling Academy so I didn’t waste any time in getting a ticket.

Probably the second biggest drum and bass band in the world, behind The Prodigy, Pendulum had enjoyed plenty of success prior to the gig and I was quite a big fan of their music which was a little more electronic and pop orientated than the more hardcore drum and bass that The Prodigy are well known for.

The gig kicked off in the manner that I though it would, that is, with plenty of energy. Playing the first two tracks from the new album, Showdown and Different, before coming in with the single, Propane Nightmares, was predictable as the band obviously tried to showcase their new material. They did play all the classics, including Hold Your Colour, Slam and the their remix of The Prodigy’s Voodoo People.

Lead singer and synth player, Rob Swire, was probably the highlight of the gig as far as the band members go, although, of course, everyone else was also fantastic. There was no let up in the pace of the gig from start to finish.

This gig was one of the most energetic and physically exhausting I have ever been to. I was hot, incredibly sweaty and the air reeked of body odour like it can only at the best of gigs. The set list was epic and well put together. Other than the many Muse gigs I have been to, I can’t think of a better gig that I have been to and I look forward immensely to when they come back.

Not to mention that it did give me the kick up the behind that I needed to actually head down to apple mac repair london and sort out my laptop so I can start mixing again. I have left it for two weeks already, it looks like I just needed a little bit of Prodigy love to sort myself out, so listen up for the new tracks soon!