Notes From the Electronic Underground: 5 English Live Acts You Should Know
When you hear the phrase “electronic music”, what do you think of?
For some, the immediate association might be the acronym “EDM” accompanied by images of neon-clad bros reveling in Miami or Ibiza. Perhaps it conjures images of a sweatbox of a darkened subterranean room, with senses at once dulled and heightened by the pounding beats, or an outrageous disco experience filled with color and ebullience. Those who have visited Berlin might be reminded of techno palace Berghain springing to mind, with its throngs of hopeful attendees queued outside.
If you’ve never heard of Berghain, don’t worry: you’re in the right place.
I love electronic and dance music, particularly of the variety that — unlike these cliched terms — is left of center, and a bit off the beaten path; you likely won’t hear this music on the radio or on the mainstage.
Why underground, though? Two reasons.
- The sound is more adventurous, and the music less abrasive and more sustainable for extended listening, which can be during a workout, riding a bike, working at a desk, chilling out or — get this — dancing!
- I want to spread the cultural richness that can be found within dance music.
Thus, without further ado, here are Notes from the Electronic Underground: English live performers edition!
What makes a live set different from a normal DJ set?
This comes down to the equipment that the performer uses. In a typical DJ set, music is played through a combination of turntables, CDJs (digital turntables), and a mixer to control sound levels. This can also include the use of laptop interfaces like Traktor or Serato, as well as additional equipment for effects. Live sets involve playing both full tracks as well as triggering individual musical elements, the enhanced control over the music allowing for more intricate mixing and complex recomposition. This can be as simple as a performer using an AKAI Launchpad or Ableton Push controller, but can also include live drumming, guitar, keyboard, horns, even a full orchestra.
You Might Know: Disclosure
These brothers from Reigate took the world by storm in 2013 with the release of their debut album, ‘Settle’. Since then, they’ve found widespread popularity through singles like Latch, White Noise, and Magnets, which feature Sam Smith, AlunaGeorge, and Lorde, respectively. They’ve achieved this success while maintaining their underground credibility, their DJ sets demonstrating the duo’s knowledge of the UK sound and beyond.
— Quick Listens —
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- DJ Set from Boiler Room Shanghai 2016 (90 mins) — Soundcloud version
- Live set from Pitchfork Paris 2013 (30 mins)
Scene Stalwarts: The Chemical Brothers
No matter who you are, there’s a strong chance you’ve come across something by these two maestros from Manchester, perhaps in my previous post. Pioneers of the Big Beat sound alongside acts like The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim, their music has been featured in films such as Black Swan, Mockingjay Part 1, and Hanna, for which they provided the entire score. If you haven’t seen any of those movies, you might know classics like Block Rockin’ Beats and Galvanize. Their live setup is one of if not the most complex in dance music, the equipment used rivaling or surpassing what you’d find in a professional studio.
— Quick Listens —
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- Live at Fuji Rock Festival 2011 (90 mins, YouTube playlist)
Artist to Know #1: Bonobo
When it comes to a modern take on hip-hop beats, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one who does so with the proficiency of Simon Green. Labelled by someone online (Youtube comment section maybe?) as “the most famous DJ you’ve never heard of”, he’s released 6 albums with Ninja Tune spanning almost 20 years. Always seeking to push the boundaries, he started touring with a live band (including a 10-piece orchestra!) in addition to performing solo as a DJ.
— Quick Listens —
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- Live @ Barrowland Glasgow, 2017 (90 mins)
- DJ Set from Mixmag Live 2017 (120 mins)
Artist to Know #2: Floating Points
To a rookie producer, composing music can feel like brain surgery (I can confirm this, as I become awash in utter panic as soon as I open Ableton Live). Here’s the thing: if it was brain surgery, Sam Shepherd would still have a leg up on everyone else. After studying piano at Chetham’s School of Music, he went on to complete a PhD in neuroscience and epigenetics (genetic trait variations as a result of external factors switching genes on and off) at University College London. His productions are as varied and sophisticated as his background would suggest, which can be heard in his 2015 album, ‘Elaenia’.
-Quick Listens-
-Long Play-
- Live performance + interview from KEXP (50 mins)
- Essential Mix, 11/28/15 (120 mins)
Artist to Know #3: Four Tet
One of Floating Points’ biggest partners in crime — they often co-host sessions on NTS Radio — Kieran Hebden aka Percussions aka Four Tet got his start in music as part of Fridge. Since then, he went on to found Text Records while establishing himself as a prolific solo artist, with his records spanning both BPM ranges and musical genres, pulling from hip hop, house, grime, jazz, techno and even Indian music. His music is at once cerebral, exhilarating, and soothing: the studio version of ‘Morning Side’ is 20 minutes long, but the amount of care with which Hebdan incorporates a cohesive variety leaves the listener compelled and wanting to bring the track back to the start.
— Quick Listens —
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- Live @ Boiler Room London (75 mins) — Soundcloud version
- Dekmantel Podcast 032 (Live from Dekmantel Festival) (120 mins)
- BONUS — Closing set of Plastic People, b2b w/ Floating Points (6 hrs)
Artist to Know #4: Jon Hopkins
Sidenote: this is the very same Jon Hopkins who Four Tet remixed.
Beginning his music career playing keyboard for Imogen Heap, Jon has since moved on with his career to collaborate with artists like Brian Eno (a legend in his own right) and Coldplay. He’s perhaps best known for his tracks that eschew typical dancefloor conventions. This is a convoluted way of saying he makes really beautiful music that’s not always about making you move, but about moving you, even without words, as the individual elements he incorporates are lyrical in their own right.
He not only does stands apart from his colleagues from a sonic perspective, but also from an artistic standpoint, as he is less apt to release singles, often opting for EP’s and full-length albums. Anyway, if there’s anyone on this list whose music you should listen to if you’re looking for some stress relief, Jon Hopkins is your guy.
— Quick Listens —
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- Live @ Boiler Room (45 mins)
- Essential Mix, November 2014 (Soundcloud, 120 mins)
Artist to Know #5: Mura Masa
Alex Crossan is the young gun on this list, but don’t let his newcomer status fool you: he knows his way around his production software. With beats equal parts delicate and aggressive, his take on bass music has put him in league with the likes of Cashmere Cat and Lido, with his songs racking up millions of listens on Soundcloud. Keep your eyes and ears on this young man: he could be the next big thing.
— Quick Listens —
— Long Play —
- Mix for Diplo + Friends on BBC Radio 1 (Soundcloud, 60 mins)
Thus concludes the initial edition of Notes from the Electronic Underground! Is there anyone I left out? Let me know in the comments, and until next time!
