Thirty-five years into their cosmic journey, The Orb remain pioneers of innovation in electronic music. Alex Paterson, the mastermind behind this interstellar odyssey, has never been one to rest on his laurels. Instead, he continues to reinvent, ensuring The Orb's legacy is as dynamic as the music itself.
The Orb's story began in the late 1980s, when Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty (later of The KLF) joined forces to create ambient soundscapes that would redefine dance music. Their early collaborations laid the groundwork for a genre that blended dub, ambient, and house music into a seamless output. Over the years, Paterson has worked with a rotating cast of collaborators, including Thomas Fehlmann, Youth, and even Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, whose contributions to albums like Metallic Spheres and its 2023 sequel, Metallic Spheres In Colour, have added a psychedelic edge to The Orb's sound.
At Exeter Phoenix on April 11th, The Orb delivered a set that was both a nod to their roots and a celebration of their evolution. True to form, the tracks were reimagined for the live setting, replacing the studio versions for something more fluid and improvisational. The audience was treated to classics like "Blue Room," "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From the Centre of the Ultraworld," and "Little Fluffy Clouds," each transformed into sprawling soundscapes that felt both nostalgic and fresh.
The performance was a journey back to the early '90s, a time when dance music was breaking boundaries and creating communities. For many in the audience, it was a reminder of a golden era, akin to the way previous generations romanticise the '60s with its free love and flower power. Yet, The Orb's music is far from a relic; it's a living, breathing entity that continues to evolve. Their upcoming projects, including a new artist album and a "Best of The Orb" set, promise to push boundaries even further.
The Orb's ability to blend the old with the new, to honour their history while forging ahead, is what makes them a truly unique act. They proved once again why they are not just pioneers but perpetual innovators in the world of electronic music. As the final track came to a close, it was clear that The Orb's journey is far from over—it’s simply entering its next phase.