A wet windy Tuesday night in an undersold town hall in an industrial wasteland is not a great place to start a world tour. Underworld slip on stage at 10.20 before issuing a classic live set that lasts for an epic 2 and a half hours. Whilst the set is sometimes not as fluid as the Christmas shows (this is their first gig in 2 months with a whole host of live debuts for many songs), the bands charm and power soon becomes clear.

Each song slips effortlessly into another as the opening clutch of materials retains a relentless pace. Spoonman is graceful, Dark Train earns a huge reception (something to do with THAT film), and whilst most of the Beaucoup Fish tracks receive a lukewarm intro due to fact they are just 36 hours into their public life, Push Upstairs and Something Like A Mama are soon greeted with open arms.

Typically, the projections that turn the Underworld live show into an experience are at full blast. The first downturn is the proliferation of mid pace material, largely such as "Skym/Winjer " which offers many the first chance for a toilet break. "Confusion The Waitress" stutters slightly as it is under-rehearsed, meandering almost, as Karl occasionally forgets words and repeats verses. An almost recognizable version of "Tin There/Jamscraper" is awesome. At this point by the way, I disappear for a moment. The pounding beats of the original "Born Slippy" fool nobody, and as Karl gibbers like a loon, air dances and remains spotwelded to his headphones, those 'chords from heaven' remind many people why they are here. THAT song. THAT reaction.

 The hall suddenly fills with fools frankly. Midlands lager large boys jump up and down, Middle class Hippie Scum in one sheet dresses and asian bangles smoke joints trying to find their inner consciousness and old men feel young for a moment. It's the one thing that sours the Underworld live celebration.

"Born Slippy (Nuxx)" is a classic though. As Darren - in his trademark Dragonshirt - and Karl in his predictable PUK PUK top groove with Rick in near telepathic joy, the beats lift this dreary place to somewhere else. Next up, Karl slips over and falls on his arse. Classic moment. The next song starts. Except, thanks to a slight technical hitch the "Kiteless" rhythm slips over the "Born Slippy" chords. 10 seconds later and embarrassed grins all round, Cups begins lift off. Jumbo glides. Some new untitled jam with Mockney lyrics 'have to go dahn to dagenham buy a new motor, 150 sheets mate, apples and pears' go the words sounds stunning. It's too short. I just wonder about how many live classics have been lost forever like this.. And "Shudder/King of Snake" sounds like the best 10 minutes of the evening. "tom and jerry thing, 24 hours on the King of Snake": which if I didn't know better would be about Jim Morrisons penis...

Christ, you should've seen us. A phenomenal medley of Rez and Cowgirl (before slipping back into Rez) leaves me breathless. Karl thanks us all behind his padded guitar 'this is the nearest I've played to home in 20 years, thanks.' And "Moaner" pounds us into submission. Karl reads his lyrics off the cue sheet, and dances like a man 30 years his junior. All smiles. Darren frantically moves his white stickers around on his mixing desk as the sequencers keep loading new sounds.. almost comedy to look at, but so smooth. Whilst obviously slightly under-rehearsed with odd technical glitches, Underworld are on top form. And getting better

Intro, Spoonman, Dark Train, Push Upstairs/Downstairs, Something Like a Mama, Winjer, Skym, Confusion the Waitress, Tin There, Born Slippy (orig), Nuxx, Kiteless/Born Slippy (mistake), Cups, Jumbo, New Song, Shudder, King of Snake, Rez 1+Cowgirl+Rez 2, Relentless Legs, Moaner

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