When electronic music legends Underworld announced their Boiler Room debut, the scene collectively raised an eyebrow. Karl Hyde is 68 and Rick Smith is 66. The typical Boiler Room crowd is, well, not. Known for its hot, sweaty, and intensely youthful atmosphere, Boiler Room is the global stage for what’s new and next in club culture. So, what happens when two pioneers who helped invent the rulebook step into a room full of people born after their most famous tracks were released?
Magic. That’s what. Their 2025 London set wasn’t just a gig. It was a statement. It proved that on the dancefloor, your birth year doesn’t matter. All that matters is the music.
Who Are Underworld Anyway?
For anyone who needs a quick catch up, Underworld are not just another legacy act. Their journey is a roadmap of electronic music’s evolution. Karl Hyde and Rick Smith started out in the 80s with a synth-pop sound that didn’t quite stick. The band we know today was truly born in the 90s when they teamed up with a young DJ named Darren Emerson. 1
This new trio created a sound that changed everything. Their 1994 album dubnobasswithmyheadman was a game changer, a sprawling masterpiece of techno, house, and ambient sounds. But it was a B-side that made them global icons.
“Born Slippy.NUXX,” the closing anthem to the film Trainspotting, became the sound of a generation. Since then, they’ve done everything from scoring Olympic opening ceremonies to releasing experimental music every week for a year. They didn’t just influence the scene, they helped build it.
The Performance: Legends Meet the New School
Stepping into the Boiler Room, Underworld knew they had to speak the local language. And they came prepared. Fan commentary from the event noted the set was harder and more aggressive than their usual live shows. They reworked classics like “Cowgirl” and “Push Upstairs” with heavy, modern kicks, a clear nod to the “hard dance” sound popular with the younger crowd.
Rick Smith, the quiet genius, was tucked behind his massive wall of gear, building the sonic storm. Karl Hyde, famous for his wild, dad-raving stage presence, was physically penned in behind the decks. But that didn’t stop him. The man’s energy is legendary, with reviews of their 2025 tour marveling at his stamina. 2 He channeled that power into a focused, intense performance that connected directly with the room.
The setlist was a journey through their history, updated for 2025. They dropped classics like “Dark & Long,” “Two Months Off,” and “King of Snake” alongside newer tracks like “and the colour red”. They even mixed in samples from modern artists like PinkPantheress and Death Grips, showing they were fully “in tune with the culture and the format of boiler room”. 3
What the Fans Said
The reaction online and from those in the room was electric. One fan called it “easily the best set of the night,” praising how they blended their own tracks with others’ to connect with the format. Another reviewer described the 88-minute performance as “pure dance bangers” and said
Underworld “schooled Boiler Room in how to headline a dance festival”. The overall sentiment was that it was a legendary performance, with one person stating, “This is going to be considered one of their essential performances as time goes by”.
Of course, not everyone was completely sold. Some longtime fans missed Hyde’s freedom to move around the stage and felt the duo was “playing to a crowd rather than their fans” by going harder with the sound. One commenter felt the vibe was spoiled by “influencers more interested in taking pictures of themselves,” a common complaint at modern Boiler Room events. But even these critiques admitted the performance itself was “incredible”.
The Verdict: The Beat Lasts Forever
So, did Underworld pass the test? Absolutely. Their Boiler Room set was more than just a successful booking. It was a bridge across generations. In a culture that can sometimes feel obsessed with youth, they proved that experience, energy, and truly groundbreaking music are timeless. 4
The crowd at their shows is always a mix of original fans and kids who discovered them decades later. This performance was the ultimate proof of their wide-ranging appeal. 5
They didn’t just play the hits. They translated their legacy for a new audience and earned their respect. In the end, Underworld’s debut wasn’t about age. It was a powerful reminder that a great beat connects everyone, no matter when they were born
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld_(band) ↩︎
- https://www.reddit.com/r/underworld/comments/1kweg5f/underworlds_2025_tour_delivered_the_best_concert/ ↩︎
- https://www.reddit.com/r/underworld/comments/1mjmiva/how_was_underworlds_boiler_room/ ↩︎
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-rave-gap-how-uk-nightlife-still-struggles-with-ageism/ ↩︎
- https://spectrumculture.com/2025/05/26/concert-review-underworld/ ↩︎
* generate randomized username
- COMMENT_FIRST
- #1 Lord_Nikon [12]
- #2 Void_Reaper [10]
- #3 Cereal_Killer [10]
- #4 Dark_Pulse [9]
- #5 Void_Strike [8]
- #6 Phantom_Phreak [7]
- #7 Data_Drifter [7]
- #8 Cipher_Blade [6]
I read the same Reddit thread as the author.
great performance, the text does feel like a lot of ai though
PinkPantheress sampled Underworld. Underworld didn’t sample PinkPantheress as you said. Get your facts right.
And yet with your “dad dancing” jibe you perpetuate the ageism. Fact is these lads created the scene you’re lucky enough to be part of. Of course they deserve total respect.