The Field Live at Tripod

There was a time in the not so recent past when all a promoter had to do was fly in any well-known DJ or producer and people – this reviewer included – were willing to play the guts of forty quid to hear him spin a few records. Those days have passed, thankfully, which means we get to see Swedish techno wizard Axel Wilner, aka The Field, for €20. What’s more, it’s a live show and they’ve thrown in some visuals as well.
The visuals are striking and perfectly timed to the music, but it’s a pity that there’s just the one measly projector screen over the stage. In a venue the size of Tripod this isn’t really enough, especially if you’re going to advertise it as part of the show.
The music itself is hugely enjoyable. Wilner’s latest album, 2009’s Yesterday & Today, is a worthy follow-up to 2007’s excellent From Here We Go Sublime, and it’s a treat to hear The Field’s trance-inspired minimal techno performed by flesh-and-blood musicians. The new tracks go down well, although as always it’s the older stuff that gets the best reaction. In this case, an extended version of ‘Over The Ice’ is the highlight.
Unfortunately there’s something about the evening that is somehow less than the sum of its parts. It’s not the fault of the venue, the music or the sound, but the fact that, being the third week in January, there’s a less than capacity crowd. What’s more, large numbers of those that are here keep milling around the dancefloor instead of actually dancing. Annoying. So much so, that what should have been a great night is downgraded to merely a good one. Somebody needs to teach those kids some manners!