Tuesday Tune: Orbital — Tonight in Belfast

When I heard this song recently I was blown about by the new version and how well the poetry worked against a track I already loved.

Orbital’s iconic debut album, “Orbital” (affectionately known as the “Green Album”), is a classic of British techno. To celebrate its reissue in April 2024, the band released a fresh take on their classic track “Belfast,” aptly titled “Tonight in Belfast.”

This new version isn’t just a straight remaster it is a collaboration, bringing together several electronic music luminaries. David Holmes offers a driving remix of the original “Belfast,” retaining its soaring synths and propulsive energy. DJ Helen weaves this remix together with “Tonight,” a spoken-word piece by Manchester poet Mike Garry. Garry’s words paint a vivid picture of longing and connection, adding a layer of raw emotion to the expansive electronic soundscape.

The result? “Tonight in Belfast” is a powerful and captivating track that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

“Tonight in Belfast” merges classic techno with spoken word poetry and the result is bloody wonderful!