Orbital Reunite For The Big Chill

BY Brock ThiessenPublished Nov 27, 2008

Pioneering electronica stalwarts Orbital have announced they’re to reunite on the festival stage next summer, marking the duo’s first live show in five years.

After throwing in the Orbital towel back in 2004, Brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll are to play a set at the 2009 edition of the UK festival the Big Chill, where they tell us they’ll be bringing "wall-to wall anthems, expansive audio-visuals — and the return of Paul and Phil's trademark torch-glasses.”

"We've got 15 years of active service, making song" Paul Hartnoll says on the group’s MySpace blog. "If you boil that down to a 90-minute festival set you should get something thoroughly exciting from beginning to end. Let's put some fun back into it."

Orbital’s live comeback approaches as Orbital celebrates the 20th anniversary of their debut single "Chime,” a rave-era classic that became the group’s first top 20 hit. However, the brothers insist the Big Chill gig is not solely based in good, ol’ nostalgic memories.

"It’s not an exercise in nostalgia at all, the time just seems right,” says Phil Hartnoll. "They came to us with the offer, and everything just seemed to fall into place. I’ve played at the Big Chill before, I DJed there and played with Long Range, and had a really good time. It’s a lovely festival. Also the timing seems good: 20 years of being together.”

There is no word yet if Orbital plan to re-enter the studio to record new material or if the one-off festival date will turn in a full-fledged tour.

Orbital "Chime” (Live at Glastonbury 2004)

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