5/5

Stalwart electro-dance insurrectionist Karl Hyde is nothing if not a loyalist to the cause of reclaiming the dance hall for ravers.

So it proves at this gig, with The Underworld vocalist Hyde — along with Darren Price, standing in for the indisposed Rick Smith — triggering trance electronics and hitting on the dub as they harness the hybrid force of ambient chill-out, wild white noise, dark matter songs and the triumphant joy and release of the big beat anthem.

Following Smith’s brilliantly remastered reissue of the seminal 1994 album Dubnobasswithmyheadman at the back end of last year, the band are currently on a 20th-year anniversary tour and what they produce is a euphoric two-hour feast of irresistible force, with Price stepping in to play Smith’s arrangements seamlessly.

Hyde’s lyrics, redolent with social comment, hit the spot and the set features classics like the dreamy Mmm Skyscraper, I Love You and Spoonman, leading into the mighty Cowgirl and the delicate River of Bass.

But it’s from the onset of the delightful Rez that the coolest hit kicks in, while Bigmouth induces an amazing cyclic spin and the timeless Born Slippy .NUXX accelerate to a point of pure musical ecstasy.

Tour details: underworldlive.com