Kruder & Dorfmeister, The Roundhouse, London
Reviewed by David Taylor
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments