Leftfield ‘PHAT BEATs’ at New Century Hall Manchester 19th May 2023

May 22, 2023
UK Concert Reviews
by Billy Seagrave Photographer/Writer

WORDS AND IMAGES BILLY SEAGRAVE

Billy Seagrave headed into the New Century Hall for a night of Progressive house with techno pioneers Leftfield.

Formed in 1988, Leftfield quickly became one of the most influential and innovative dance music acts of all time. Originally comprising Neil Barnes and Paul Daley, Leftfield’s live performances paired with seminal albums, 1995s “Leftism” and 1999s “Rhythm & Stealth” (both Mercury Music Prize nominees), solidified their position as true pioneers. The group then went on a hiatus in 2002 before returning in 2010 for live appearances (now led solely by Barnes).

The New Century finally plays host to Leftfield, a show that has been on hold for such a long time. The “This is what we do”, tour has drawn in the crowds for the first of two sell-out much anticipated gigs. As the doors opened and the crowds constantly piled in and quickly filled the hall, it is fair to say that there were quite a few ageing ravers, who quite simply came out to party.

Jon Dasilva puts everyone in the mood with a flawless set that had the full attention of the ever-growing crowd, Dasilva is a DJ, producer, and remixer. Resident @ I Love Acid and Fac 51 The Haçienda. Best known as a leading pioneer of House music, techno, and acid house, renowned for being able to draw and blend so many great and diverse genres of music, as his set showed tonight, he is still as fresh and innovative as he always has been.

As the end of Dasilv’s set is coming to an end, the venue is filled with smoke from a couple of what seems to be a couple of overworked machines, if the ambience was to create a “Pea souper”, it was achieved, literally

Within seconds as Dasilva’s workstation is wheeled off to the side of the stage, Leftfield take to the stage, and the lights go up. Neil Barnes and Adam Wren, take their places, as their electronic, sensory barrage of progressive house, electro-techno dub, is released. To a very receptive crowd.

As Neil Barnes talks to the crowd in a robotic voice, asking the crowd to put away their phones and enjoy the show, the atmosphere is growing as they launch into the opening track, “Pulse”, taken from their latest album, “This is what we do”, “Making a difference”, along with “Rapture”, have the crowd in full compliance everyone soaking in the visual and techno vibes emanating from the stage, what a fabulous backdrop to embrace.

As the set evolves and the wizardry of “Rapture”, and “Release the pressure”, engulfs the venue, “Africa Shox”, seemed to push forward and was doing its most to seep through the walls and into the city beyond, a real powerhouse delivery, with its tribal backbeat. “This is what we do”, “The power of listening”, and “Accumulator”, was an opportunity to showcase the here and now, the way forward.

The encore brought out the old school, opening with “Melt”, and “Song of Life”, from the prestigious “Leftisim”, album then finally finishing with the unmistakable “Phat Planet”, from “Rhythm and Stealth”.

Tonight’s show has reaffirmed the excellence of performance and delivery of a band that still leads the way in so many areas, they are already booked in for quite a few festivals later this year and on this performance, is sure to be a crowd-puller for their appearances.