After sold out shows across Europe this winter, one of electronic music’s greatest acts – Leftfield – will be performing at Further Future 002, their first US show since Coachella in 2011, and only their second US appearance in 15 years. The legendary act, credited for sparking the original progressive house movement, was a key influencer in spreading the UK electronic sound of the 90’s alongside peers like The Crystal Method, The Chemical Brothers, Underworld and The Prodigy.
Leftfield will be performing at the award-winning boutique festival, Further Future, taking place in the desert beyond Las Vegas from April 29 to May 01, 2016 alongside a who’s who of international legends and pioneers such as Four Tet, Nicolas Jaar, Easy Star All-Stars, Kid Koala, DJ Tennis, Crazy P, Andy Stott, Derrick Carter, &ME, Dixon, Oneohtrix Point Never, Dixon, The Pharcyde, Daedelus, Still Corners, Terry Francis and 60 more artists.
“I can’t think of a better way to bring our new album and new show to the USA than doing it in the desert with Further Future. It’s rare that we play in the US and always special. This is going to be a great event.” – Neil Barnes of Leftfield
Further Future Mainstage (Photo Credit: Nicolas Troncin)
Described by Mixmag as “The single most influential production team in British dance music,” Leftfield was essential to the evolution of electronic culture in England and beyond, universally heralded as the production team that brought house music back from the brink of commercial mediocrity. Leftfield’s 1995 album Leftism remains one of defining statements of 90’s dance music.
The 90s were all but over when the second Leftfield album appeared in Autumn 1999. Rhythm And Stealth worked with a darker hue and more pronounced techno influence, guests including Roots Manuva, MC Cheshire Cat and Afrika Bambaataa on first single Afrika Shox, which reached the UK top ten. The album – like its predecessor – would be nominated for a Mercury prize while one of its tracks, Phat Planet, soundtracked the award-winning ‘Surfer’ advert for Guinness. After one more single, June 2000’s Swords, Leftfield wound down operations. It was a full decade later that the band, now led solely by Neil Barnes, returned for a series of stunning headline performances at some of 2010’s hottest festivals including Rockness, Benicassim, L.E.D and Creamfields.
Further Future Sunrise (Photo Credit: Christian Lamb)
In 2015, Leftfield’s first album in 16 years ‘Alternative Light Source’, has already been dubbed “a masterpiece of texture” by The Observer and revered for its “pulse-quickening beats, widescreen instrumentals and satisfyingly chunky electro” by The Independent. Watch the “Head And Shoulders” music video here to get a taste for yourself, premiered by Pitchfork and featuring Sleaford Mods and winner of the ‘Best Dance’ video at the UKMVAs. Other vocalist contributors on the album include Polica’s Channy, and Tunde Adebimpe from TVOTR.
Leftfield is now reaching a new generation of dance music aficionados, simultaneously leaving veteran lovers of the scene rejoicing with each new song and tour date. Performances in the US have always been elusive since their formation over 25 years ago, inspiring the Further Future team to seek out Leftfield for what will undoubtedly be an awe-inspiring show in a location divergent from the group’s traditional booking.
This is exciting news for Further Future, and will make a lovely addition to their already stellar lineup.
