UndenNofld
Titled Beaucoup Fish and not, as was rumoured, Tonight Matthew, We Are Underworld, the third album from the dance world’s (born) slippy customers is released on 1 March.
It’s been three years since their last long-player, but the band who make techno for people who don't like techno have never kow-towed to the greater machinations of the music industry. At least not since founder members Karl Hyde and Rik Smith were in an early 80$ prog-rock debacle called Freur. Now, with DJ and beat-master Darren Emerson on board, they create and mutate a unique blend of dance beats, quirky vocals and floaty areas of dub.
Ever since Underworld made the cover of Melody Maker with their dubnobasswith- myheadman debut album, they have sold records to the mainstream audience, despite retaining dancefloor credibility. And the success of ‘Born Slippy'
during Euro '96, at the height of Trainspotting fever didn’t harm matters at all.
Reports from live previews of Beaucoup Fish on the continent and America are of strong credible songs which retain and build on the band's existing sound. An even better omen for 1999 is that, in Karl Hyde, Underworld have an outspoken
yet presentable frontman who is always ready to create some on-stage havoc. And, to keep the indie kid contingent happy, he even plays guitar. Of all the heavyweight dance acts to release albums in 1999, Underworld should lead to the finish. (Thom Dibdin)
l Underworld play Glasgow Barrow/and on Thu 4 Mar.
birthday by conducting the RSNO in a programme of music drawn from his classic film scores — which include Chinatown, The Omen and Basic Instinct.
19. Jazz Directions (various venues, Feb—Mar) The undoubted highlight of Assembly Direct’s next season will be the appearance of the Michel Petrucciani Trio (with the great Steve Gadd on drums) in March. See Festivals for Glasgow and edinburgh International Jazz Festivals.
20. Catatonia (Glasgow: Barrowland, 14 Mar) Cerys and crew finally got the success that they long deserved with last year’s International Velvet. lf you didn’t catch them live when they were playing the toilet circuit, now’s your chance.
21. Orbital (Glasgow: Barrowland, 21 Mar)
Backing up the February release of their Middle Of Nowhere album, the Hartnoll brothers unveil their latest take on modern electro. Live, they're electrifying.
22. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (Glasgow: Royal Concert Hall, 31 Mar) A Scottish debut recital from the famous New Zealand soprano.
23. Stereophonics (Glasgow: Barrowland, 15 Apr) Billed as the 'performance and cocktails' tour, Kelly’s heroes make the celtic connection with a Scottish date which is bound to be storming.
24. The Beautiful South (Glasgow: SECC, 22 Apr) The Beautiful South could have been tailor- made for the saying ’every cloud has a silver lining’ although perhaps ’every silver lining has a cloud’ may be more appropriate. Whatever, poisoned words in hummable tunes is what they do best.
25. Gary Barlow (Glasgow: SECC, 24 Apr) Rapidly becoming the nearly ran in the ex-Take That stakes, the one who was supposed to have the talents has been out of the limelight for a dangerously long time. This tour and what we presume will be the accompanying CD will be Barlow's make or break point.
26. Super Furry Animals (Glasgow: Barrowland, 30 Apr) Reckoned by some at The List to be the country’s most con3istently inventive rock band, the Super Furries return to Glasgow where you might well play tracks from their forthcoming album. Listen out for that 'pre—millennial optimism’ they've been banging on about.
27. Tony Bennett (Glasgow: Royal Concert Hall, 4 May) What with Sinatra heading off to the big cocktail lounge in the sky, Tony Bennett is now the world’s top crooner. Join him in Glasgow for what is certain to be a fiesta of the smooth.
28. Ines De Castro (Glasgow and Edinburgh, May—June) A welcome revival of James MacMillan’s powerful opera from Scottish Opera. 29. All Saints (Glasgow: SECC, 15 Jun; Edinburgh: Playhouse, Sun 18 Apr) Nuptials, nursery duty and split-up rumours aSide, this Will be the Saints first live tour oi the UK. Stock up on your combat trousers and crop tops now as retailers have predicted nationwide shortages.
PREVIEW OF 1999
FESTIVAL
30. New Moves (new territories) (Glasgow, 22 Feb—20 Mar) Scotland’s innovative international dance festival stretches out to the Theatre Royal this year with a new piece by Spanish choreographer Vincente Saez. This sets the tone for New Moves’ ’Espana Se Mueve’ season, which exposes the new flamenco scene. Homegrown talent comes in the shape of Anatomy, Iona Kewney and Kultyer Dance Theatre.
31. Puppet And Animation Festival (Various venues, 22 Mar—1 7 Apr) This ever expanding event now takes place across eighteen different areas, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife and the Lothian region. Whether pulling strings or hand in glove, the puppetry participants perform original pieces as well as popular fairytales. A complementary programme of film and animation is also shown.
32. Shoots & Roots (Edinburgh, 1—4 Apr & 19—21 Nov) The bash formerly known as the Edinburgh Folk Festival has metamorphosed into Shoots & Roots, held over two extended weekends. Programming for the autumn event has still to be finalised, but the Easter festival Will include familiar faces on the folk scene such as Kate Rusby, Ian Carr and Beginnish.
33. Edinburgh Science Festival (Edinburgh, 3—1 8 Apr) Keynote lectures, hands-on experiments and a radical attitude to science feature in a programme that caters to all abilities, from pre-school children to university professors. The themes to be tackled this year include ’What DNA Can’t Do' (genetics), ’Bugs’ (of the insect variety) and 'Life In Space’. Box Office (0131 473 2070) opens on 11 Jan.
34. Scottish International Children's Festival (Edinburgh, 18-23 May) Last year’s festival moved indoors and, with one eye on the weather, the trend continues this year. Various venues across the City will be hosting events, targeted at four-to-fourteen-year-olds. Highlights include Canadian company Access’s skit Number Fourteen Bus and a new theatre piece entitled Morgan’s Journey.
35. Big Big Country (Glasgow, 26 May—6 Jun) This burgeoning festival of country music takes place in various venues across the city, including the versatile Old Fruitmarket, which last year provided the perfect backdrop to artists like Loudon Wainwright Ill and The Blind Boys Of Alabama.
36. Glasgow International Jazz Festival (Glasgow, 30 Jun—4 Jul) Last year, we saw acid 1822 from Hammond legend Jimmy Smith, urban blues from Buddy Guy and Latin rhythms from Bobby Carcasses, as well as low key gigs and jam ses5ions in smailer venues across the city. This year’s programme should be Just as interesting, With the same delicate balance between local and world-renowned artists. To be included on the mailing list, call 0141 400 5000. 37. T in the Park (Summer: date and venue to be confirmed) Voted Gig Of The Year in the 1998 List Readers’ Poll. Scotland’s biggest music festival Will be gomg ahead again for a sixth year. Radiohead, Paul Weller, Pulp and Prodigy are past headliners on the main stage. Other tents take in the best of indie, rock, pop and dance, With a fun fair and assorted on-site shenanigans to round out the full-on festival experience. Keep an eye on The List for announcements about Who’s topping the bill this year. 38. Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival (Edinburgh, 30 Jul—8 Aug) Setting the mood for August’s frenzy, this fest has been growing in stature over the years and now attracts artists of an international calibre, as well as a wealth of local and national talent. Those Continued over page
7—21 Jan 1999 THE ll3T19