Underworld became one of the most important electronic acts of the ‘90s via an intriguing synthesis of old and new styles. The trio’s two-man frontline, vocalist Karl Hyde and keyboard player Rick Smith had been recording together since the early ‘80s new wave explosion and then recruited Darren Emerson, a young DJ immersed in the sounds of techno and trance.

A series of jaw-dropping singles followed under different monikers until their debut album under the reclaimed Underworld brand was released in 1994 to unanimous praise. ‘dubnobasswithmyheadman’ occupied a truly inimitable musical space – one where discombobulated phrases looped hypnotically over rolling lyrical travelogues stretching over an entirely new sonic architecture – a place where the narcotic haze of Studio One fused with the Europe Endless techno underground.  It’s this incredible creation that the band will be playing in its entirety at Albert Hall!

“Underworld have come up with a solution for the facelessness that blights dance music”, wrote NME, while Melody Maker said the record was “a breathtaking hybrid that marks the moment club culture finally comes of age and beckons to everyone”.

20 years since its release Underworld’s DNA has spread through both electronic and popular culture – the mutated EDM soundtrack of the dance-floors in Las Vegas, the backbone of Danny Boyle’s production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre, and his globally acclaimed Opening Ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The latter saw Smith & Hyde act as musical directors to an inspired, hallucinogenic sprint through 300 years of British musical history.

Summer 2014 say Smith & Hyde announce the re-release of ‘dubnobasswithmyheadman’ and a performance of the record at Royal Festival Hall. Demand for tickets was so high that phone lines melted in the first ten seconds, so don’t delay in getting yours for this one off show!