Pop Review: You better watch out, I'm telling you why - Prodigy are coming to town

Jennifer Rodger
Thursday 04 December 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Prodigy

Newcastle Arena

The spectacle of playing their aggressive, energetic digi-rock is enough to turn you into a twin-horned green Mohican with a studded tongue. Six foot of disconnected limbs, snake-eye contact, gold fangs, devilish attitude and twitching performances disorientate crowds.

have greedily consumed a decade of popular music's most important influences. Their first hit in 1991 was "Charly", which used a sample from the road safety cartoon, "Charly says..." and made breakbeat a mainstream tool, turning a nation on to underground rave culture. Even then were prepared to shock their fan base. Mixmag magazine put a picture of Liam pointing a gun at his head accompanied by the headline "Did Charly Kill Rave?". Three years later, the tabloid press were gunning for an end to illegal raves and the Government raised the spectre of the Criminal Justice Bill. Once again gave the disgruntled party people a mainstream voice to protest against the negative image of the rave scene - with the release of Music For The Jilted Generation. The album went straight in at number one, going gold within a week of it's release.

As 1996's "Firestarter" made clear, 's appeal is in their attitude which harnesses the energy of rock, punk and rave but succumbs to nothing. In 1996 they did 70 gigs and, with a history of pushing themselves hard on the live circuit, antics as seen at T in the Park when Liam rolled in through a huge rubber ball are typical. "It was a legendary way to open the show and I don't know how we'll top it," says Liam enticingly.

An ad for the most recent album, The Fat Of The Land proudly displays a letter which denounces as "totally evil" and "demented". Charly says: be warned.

Tonight, at Newcastle Arena (tel 0191-260 500). Then continuing their UK tour at venues in Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow, Reading, Plymouth, Bournemouth and London.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in