Review: Leftfield, O2 Institute, Birmingham
From The Specials to Patti Smith, from U2 to The Stone Roses – an increasing number of credible bands are boarding the bandwagon marked ‘heritage’.
Fans seeking a return to the halcyon age of youth, when the world was full of possibility and when music provided a tangible soundtrack, rush in increasing numbers to remember glory days.
While once such gigs seemed naff – God, not another Shed Seven Christmas shindig, not another show by Nik Flippin’ Kershaw and Lord save us from the 17th re-run of The Human League’s Dare – such shows are becoming increasingly relevant.
For every band playing a local venue, there’s another established act marking a 20th, 30th or, in Tony Bennett’s case, 60th anniversary.
Leftfield’s game-changing album Leftismm was the cause for celebration on Friday at Birmingham’s O2 Institute, with the record being performed in its entirety to mark its 20th anniversary – or, more accurately, its 22nd birthday, given that their commemorative plans were delayed.
Barnes and Paul Daley – who has since departed the band – were the most influential production team in British dance. And Leftism redefined the genre in an age when it was at its most vibrant and creative. It helped to turn pop culture on its head.
Alongside The Chemical Brothers, Underworld and The Prodigy, Leftfield spent late nights on samples and synths, on computers and in DJ booths, honing an exotic sound that was uniquely theirs.
Mixing trip hop and electronica, dub and techno, progress house and dance, Leftism mixed Afro with bring-the-ceiling-down beats.
The celebration at Birmingham’s O2 was sweaty and loud, vital and energetic. It was an opportunity for the faithful and curious to pay their respects to a Mercury Music Prize-nominated record that redefined the age. And, remarkably, it sounded as fresh and exciting as it did on first listen, back in ’95.
