October 4, 1998

London Kensington Royal Albert Hall

The surprising thing is exactly how well the likes of 'The Blue Room', '...Ultraworld' and 'Star 6 & 7, 8, 9' fare in a world which has seen trip-hop, jungle, speed garage and big beat come and go

The man in the suit, who may or may not be enjoying the delights of his first ever Ecstasy tab, doesn't give a shit. All around him, in the stalls of the Albert Hall, people are sitting politely, awaiting the moment when The Orb will appear. But our man cannot wait that long. Undeterred by his office apparel, he gyrates unashamedly, arms held up toward the dome-shaped hall, pausing only briefly to goad his mortified companions into joining him.

It's only right that The Orb should inspire such blatant disregard for the opinions of others. After all, if they'd taken the advice of their critics, they'd have given up long ago. Instead, they battle on regardless. And, although you'd never have put money on it, in front of this nine-tenths sold-out crowd they seem anything but a spent force. With the 'UFOff' greatest hits compilation to plug, tonight was never going to be anything but a celebration of past glories. The surprising thing is exactly how well the likes of 'The Blue Room', '...Ultraworld' and 'Star 6 & 7, 8, 9' fare in a world which has seen trip-hop, jungle, speed garage and big beat come and go since they were penned.

They won't get away with it forever, of course, but 'UFOff'? No. The Orb aren't going anywhere just yet.

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