The Orb + Marree Men
The Waterfront, Norwich
★★★★★

THE ORB delivered the perfect full-stop to my gig-going year. Alex Paterson’s swirling visuals and endless dub sorcery turned The Waterfront into a glowing, smiling hive of bliss.

Support came from Marree Men, Paterson’s new project with Anglo-Italian composer and producer Gaudi (Daniele Cenacchi). Their set, which included Mind the Gap and Waltzing the Clouds, was a masterclass in live cosmic playfulness. Gaudi’s reggae-dub spine, coupled with his playful use of a theremin and Boss guitar effects pedal filter sweeps, meshed perfectly with Paterson’s ambient alchemy; two legends, zero ego, pure synergy.

The Orb eased in with “Perpetual Dawn”, still sunrise in audio form, then rattled the floor with “Towers of Dub.” New album Buddhist Hipster shone through “Arabebonics Buddhist Hipsters” — Arabic loops melting into dub meditation — and “It’s Coming Soon,” its whispered mantra hanging like prophecy.

The mid-set peak was spellbinding: “Oort Cloud (Too Night)” painted starfields, “Doll’s House” chilled spines with its music-box haunt, and “Outlands” detonated into a weightless dub breakdown. Hands aloft, strangers swaying — the room became a floating temple.

“Little Fluffy Clouds” sealed the night like a benediction. Smiles all round. The high priests of ambient-dub are still very much in session.

On tour until December 6. For dates and venues see: theorb.com