Orbital rock Big Chill

Reformed electro legends play Saturday night headliner

09 August 2009 - Reformed electro duo Orbital played the Saturday headline slot at this weekend's Big Chill festival at Eastnor Castle deer park in Herefordshire.

It was announced late last year that the outfit would reform for the date, but they have already played shows in Brighton and at the Rockness and Global Gathering festivals this year.

Why Orbital reformed

One half of the duo Phil Hartnoll explained why they decided to get back on the road: "Just missing it really! People kept asking us to play gigs. Eventually we got asked by The Big Chill, it just seemed like a really good thing to do.

"Within a week we were in the studio rustling all our old gear together and seeing what worked and what didn't, what we wanted to play and what we didn't, it was just exciting."

"Being back on the road is like riding a bike" - Phil Hartnoll, Orbital

Performing live comes easy

It's five years since they've been behind the decks on the live circuit, but Hartnoll says it's been relatively easy: "Being back on the road is like riding a bike.

"The first show it's a bit nerve-wracking at first, but you get up there and you think... I remember this!"

Orbital also play headline shows in Manchester and London in September, Hartnoll let us in on what fans can expect: "These shows really comprise all our favourite Orbital bits, ours and our fans.

"There are some new twists and turns, we listened to the tracks, decided we wanted to play them in different ways. We got some some lovely new analogue synths we are using, it's Orbital mark II."

New material?

2004 saw the release of the band's last, and supposedly final record, The Blue Album. Now they are back, but won't commit to any new material, they say it's all about having a good time: "We don't know what's going to happen after these gigs.

"We are really enjoying them for what they are, it's just us playing live, reacting with the audience. It's been great fun, so watch this space."

Orbital will play the following headline shows:

Manchester Academy - Sept 19
London Brixton Academy - Sept 25


Ruth Barnes