From: The K Foundation <srdegnan@DUX.DUNDEE.AC.UK>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 93 12:46:43 BST
Subject: System 7 review LIVE

Hey ... I thoughtt someone else would have done this, but since not:



				MIDI CIRCUS

			Arches Theatre, Glasgow
			Sunday 11th July 1993

				    with
			Drum Club..............
			SYSTEM 7...............
			ORBITAL................

Doorsopened at 8 ... the thing was supposed to go on until 1am. DJ was
spinning some excellent tunes (would you believe 500 people moshing to
KLONK BLIP EVERY TRIP !!! it's True). MC was terrible, but thankfully
didn't say very much.

Few minutes after we arrived, the DRUM CLUB appeared. They looked like
a poor man's orbital and had a weak start. Within 15 minutes though,
we were in the domain of DRUM CLUB and boy, it felt good. Don't know
any of their stuff but on the whole excellent, if a tadge like orbital.

Drum Club were cleverly mixed out and more vibes mixed in as keyboards,
etc were swapped and System 7 appeared. Steve hillage IS the most
unfashionable man in pop music, looking like someone's very (safe)
dad. No-one had told me Miquette was a woman!!!. Anyway ... just the
two of them, a virtual plethora of keyboards and Stevie-boy's gee-tar.
Straight into the 'magic' new single 'Sinbad', they stuck closely to
the album version although it seemed to last about 15 minutes. The
sound was incredible: at first i thought Steve's guitar could bearly be
heard, but within a minute or so it was straightened out and the bass
arrived with avengence also.

Basically we got a trip through the new album : Ship of the Desert was
next, etc..etc.. Near the end though was Desir(Ghost Mix) which must
be one of the loudest fuck-offs I've ever heard at a gig. Bass heaven...
yes for about 90 seconds we got Bass drums doing 1/16 time!

Unfortunately I'd been so near the front my ears were really hurting. I
tried to find somewhere to rest (which should have been easy because I
worked there for 6 months last year). But everywhere was packed and with
my head so sore, no choice but to go outside. I couldn't even get to the
staff toilets to sit down, because security has been improved (last time
it hadn't and resulted in me wandering into the toilets while the
Stereo MC's were there ... but that's another story...)

So sorry, no Orbital review. Regardless ... System 7 were very impressive,
and frankly better than recent Orb gigs. These guys know where they're
going and they're getting there fast...