I suppose it was the 1980’s when I first realised that a lot of music I was listening to had electronic overtones – OMD, Flock of Seagulls, Gary Numan – but really it was when I came across Trance in mid 2000 that I became hooked. I heard a version of William Orbit’s Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber) in a Trance mix by Ferry Corsten. That’s when I bought my first Trance CD (‘Pure’ Euphoria Vol 4 mixed by Matt Darley) The rest is history.
So, when I saw the Design Museum advertising their Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers exhibition, I just had to go along. What I loved was seeing the electronic equipment, but I hadn’t realised the origins of electronic music, how many decades it spanned, and the range. Going through the exhibition there was a chance to listen to sounds from across the years. Here you could plug in your own earphones or headphones (you need to take your own due to Covid 19 restrictions) and listen to the first attempt to record electronic sounds right through to club music of today. There are lots of screens and music pumping out generally across the exhibition.
My favourite place was the light display, a room with strips of changing lights moving to the rhythm of the music. In the final room you can have the whole experience with The Chemical Brothers song Gotta Keep on Makin’ Me High. There is a warning here due to the flashing lights/strobe lighting, and you can miss this out should this not be something you want to/should not experience for health reasons. Wow! Even I had to close my eyes near the end as the white light was so bright, but what an experience.
I don’t profess to like all electronica, but I love Trance especially the chill-out, classic, uplifting and some progressive. I am addicted to music in general and my taste is very eclectic. I listen to anything from the 1960’s to the present day, including classical, but if I had to pick an era, it would be the 1980’s.
If you like electronic music, then this exhibition is for you. If you are bored rigid now then maybe a quiet time in Holland Park is more to your liking. Do read on!
Holland Park is lovely any time of year, but with the trees turning colour I couldn’t resist popping in. Conveniently there is an entrance right alongside the Design Museum. Being midweek it was quiet. The Kyoto Gardens were beautiful and peaceful, a complete contrast to the thumping beats of techno. It was a chance to unwind and be with nature.
While the large cafe was shut, the kiosk by it was open and I was able to grab a hot chocolate and sticky peach tart. I sat under cover just in time because the heavens opened. It was rather soothing watching the rain fall. Luckily, the worst had cleared by the time I was ready to leave.
A day of contrasts for sure!
My London+ 