Hampstead Highgate Express > Things to do

REVIEW: Underworld, Sam Sparro, Robyn, DJ deadman5 at Hyde Park

Published: 4:50 PM July 24, 2008 Updated: 10:25 AM February 20, 2021

The sun might have put in an appearance for most of Saturday AT 02 Wireless – but it was the performers in the dark tent housing the Sandisk stage who shone brightest. Underworld gave a sterling performance as the headline act, putting on a spectacular li

The sun might have put in an appearance for most of Saturday AT 02 Wireless - but it was the performers in the dark tent housing the Sandisk stage who shone brightest.

Underworld gave a sterling performance as the headline act, putting on a spectacular lightshow, while giant inflatable pillars rolled around the stage erecting slowly and lighting up red and orange. The tent was packed with heaving sweaty bodies and clouds of mist rose from the revellers - a sight and atmosphere to rival any underground European dance party. A tide of gigantic white balloons washed into the crowd at the rendition of Born Slippy - the group's most recognisable song and the highlight of the show.

One of the earlier acts was the outrageous Australian Sam Sparro, whose trademark dark electronica was interspersed with funky feel-good numbers and pounding versions of chart hits from the 80s and 90s. His voice combines a soaring range with subtle intonations during the lower parts, and his closing number Black and Gold took on a life of its own as the crowd sang the chorus over and over again over the pared-down noise of the synthesisers.

Elsewhere on the main stage, Europop sensation Robyn performed her gutsy set in an impossibly tight pair of white leggings, which perhaps were to blame for her pained look throughout. Some of the songs didn't come across that well live, compared with her recorded versions. But her main hits, including Who's That Girl, still had enough of an anthemic feel to be worth bobbing along to.

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Later, DJ deadmau5 gave a pumped-up set on the main stage, setting the tone for the rest of the evening which was headed by main act Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook.

Although he looks like a slightly embarrassing DJing dad these days, his arsenal of top 10 singles and earth-quaking beats clearly still hit the mark for thousands of fans camped out in front of the stage.