The UK duo of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, better known as Underworld, have been a mainstay in electronic music since the early 90s. Earlier this year they were honored with the IMS Legends Award and they have continued to keep a busy schedule adding to their amazing repertoire of performances around the world.
Their recent gigs in Amsterdam were sold out almost instantaneously. Originally the shows were booked for a new pop-up venue called Temp but due to venue issues were moved to De Marktkantine, one of Amsterdam’s best nightclubs.
Patrice Baumel who was on warm up duties got everyone gently into the mood with a smooth selection of house tracks like Depeche Mode’s – Cover Me (Dixon Remix), that lead the way for Underworld to take over. The duo built up the energy in the room with some of their more recent tracks, lazers beaming above and Karl being followed with a colorful spotlight that made him radiate every color of the rainbow. He was fully energetic onstage dancing to the beats that Rick ushered out from the controls behind him.
Packing out the venue on both nights with over 2000 people, it was one of Underworld’s more intimate gigs, as Karl said “it’s nice to have smaller shows because the energy is more intense”. Everyone in the club could definitely feel the intensity.
With just one quick break where Rick carried on solo, Karl soon came back to finish up their show with their legendary hits ‘Two Months Off’ and finally ‘Born Slippy’. The crowd went wild and hoped for more but for a Wednesday night it was time to go home at 11pm. There is no doubt they will return, as Karl said “we’ve been playing Amsterdam since ‘92 and it feels like home”. Come back anytime guys!
