After almost 22 years since their last performance in the Motor City, iconic group Underworld returned to the birthplace of techno for a triumphant show that encompassed their celebrated career.
Although the Detroit/Berlin axis was the fuel for the early explosion of electronic music after the fall of the wall in 1989, London and the acid house scene that turned out groups like The Happy Mondays, New Order, the Chemical Brothers, Orbital and Underworld was just as vital in propelling electronic music from the fringes of the underground in both North America and Europe to the mainstream.
Inspired by the electronic-pop of acts like Kraftwerk, Underworld was formed in 1980 in Cardiff, Wales by Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, and others. It wasn’t until the acid house and rave scene emerged later in the decade that the group would find its footing after moving to London and signing with Junior Boys Own Records.
The group bridged the gaps between techno, big beat, ambient, house and pop which allowed them to break into the mainstream, especially in 1996 with the group’s inclusion in the Trainspotting soundtrack. Along with a potent live show, Underworld also helped propel progressive house and trance elements beyond the dancefloor, influencing a generation of producers and remixers in the process.
One of the few big ‘90s acts that haven’t been to Movement, you can bet Underworld were on lots of people’s must-see list for the busy Memorial Day weekend.