ORBITAL RETURN TO HEADLINE THE BIG CHILL
(7th – 9th August 2009)

Electronica pioneers Orbital will headline The Big Chill 2009 - with the Hartnoll brothers returning for their first live show in five years.

Orbital split in 2004 after establishing themselves as one of the most influential acts in dance music history. Tracks such as the classic ‘Chime’ and later number 1 hit ‘The Box’ helped shape the UK’s burgeoning club scene.

As their 20th anniversary approaches; their live return will rekindle memories of their era-defining Glastonbury performance in 1994; and the raucous live shows that introduced an improvisational element to live electronic music.

Orbital took live performance beyond the realms of standard DJing; with spontaneity and experimentation setting a blue-print for noughties electro-darlings such as Simian Mobile Disco and Justice.

Their plans for the Big Chill are under wraps for now; but expect wall-to wall anthems, expansive audio-visuals – and the return of Paul and Phil’s trademark torch-glasses.

“It’s not an exercise in nostalgia, the time just seems right,” says Orbital’s Phil Hartnoll. “Everything just seemed to fall into place. I’ve played at the Big Chill before, I DJed there and had a really good time - it’s an amazing festival. The timing is also good: 20 years of being together.”

“We’ve got 15 years of active service, making song” comments Paul Hartnoll. “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.”

Big Chill Festival Music Programmer Guy Morley commented that “Orbital’s return is a massive coup, and a great way to kick things off for next year’s festival.

I’m delighted that they have chosen to reform for the Big Chill - I’ve been badgering them for years! Orbital have been one of the most important dance artists of the last two decades, and a huge influence on today’s electronica scene.”