Moderat at Alexandra Palace

German supergroup Moderat return after a five-year hiatus with brooding and electrifying soundscapes and visuals that are far from moderate. 

The trio perform on samplers, modulators and synthesisers, with Apparat’s Sascha Ring playing electric guitar on a few tracks. Accompanying tonight’s performance are brilliantly executed and striking graphics, incorporating matrix images and coding structures – an optical theme throughout – during More Love. Also depicted are a crown, the mask used by social justice group Anonymous, and August Rodine’s sculpture, The Thinker, followed by a dramatic crimson eclipse that climaxes to a screen of fire, reminding us of the impact of climate change as Ring’s lyrics echo. Highlight Animal Trails is as incredible as expected and would fit easily into a science-fiction film. The group switch from galvanising tracks to subtler tunes, yet retain their signature deep, reverberating grooves. Ring’s vocals have an unmistakeable likeness to that other powerhouse trio, Muse’s Matt Bellamy, bringing a sense of familiarity amid the soaring electronics.

For Undo Redo, radar is juxtaposed with numbers on-screen; the graphics tonight are very conceptual, akin to an art exhibition. Ring greets the audience, but the band’s interaction is minimal, like their sound. There are hints of other electronic groups, such as Massive Attack and Portishead, but their post-minimalist techno is unique, the three at the top of their live set game. Neon Rats is another standout, the rhythmic beats backed by luminous words on-screen, including track titles and “Ally Pally” (the venue’s affectionate nickname), while Last Time is up there too as one of the greats, with a cascading sheet of red light; additionally the visuals for Fast Land evoke time portals from cult film Donnie Darko, and let’s not forget Les Grandes Marches – IDM at its finest – and the iconic Bad Kingdom ending the rave on a high.

Tonight’s comeback performance showcases the trio’s strength in producing highly intelligent and danceable music, while their interest in Big Data, surveillance and championing social justice gives a real sense of community through sound. Moderat have made a fine return to the world of live music. Here’s to more gigs yet to come. 

Selina Begum
Photos: Miguel de Melo

For further information and future events visit Moderat’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Easy Prey here: