25th March 2009 Kool Haus, Toronto, Canada

Review by Heather Parry:
The redemption of the Prodigy has been a long time coming. Twelve years since a worthwhile album, a massive 19 since they first burst onto the thriving rave scene, and a long while since people have really been excited by them, Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim Reality needed to make up for dropping off the face of the planet after The Fat Of The Land and of course, prove that they’re still as twisted as they once were.

A few thousand people turned up to see this sold-out show and the Kool Haus was buzzing with hopeful anticipation (I was almost wetting myself with a decade of pent-up excitement). No sooner had the core-shaking bass of “World’s On Fire” filled the room than the crowd realized with relief that the band weren’t about to disappoint, and proceed to pogo, sweat profusely and love them like it was 1997.

With the vocalists careering around the stage like hyperactive kids rather than 30something family men, the crowd had no choice but to emulate their idols, and so the metaphorical barriers between the two parties broke down to the reverberation of “Invaders Must Die.” Not even the most cynical of fans could be left with doubts about the new album after “Take Me To The Hospital” and latest single “Omen” shattered all negative thoughts. The other brand new tracks seemed to show that the group’s re-discovered genius will not be short-lived.

Yet it was timeless tracks such as “Diesel Power,” “Out Of Space” and the never-fading “Smack My Bitch Up” that made the gig truly effervescent and sent the crowd spiralling into a vortex of unthinking reverence. Hyperbole fails in the face of your heroes, and after this gig it’s clear that the Prodigy are still the masters of their art.

Review by blog.muchmusic.com:
The Kool Haus was a sea of writhing glow sticks last night as a sticky mosh pit pulsated to the electropunk thump of British underground rave legend The Prodigy.

After a solid opening performance by XI, the stage flooded with hot red light and Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim Reality launched into a heated rendition of “World’s On Fire.”

The rest of their intense two hour set included the hit singles “Their Law,” “Breathe,” “Omen,” “Poison,” “Warriors Dance,” “Firestarter,” “Run With The Wolves,” “Voodoo People,” & “Commanche”. The energy level of the crowd was predictably high throughout the entire show, but things definitely got harsher in the pit during Prodigy’s latest release, “Omen,” and their ‘96 classic “Firestarter.”

Howlett knew how to keep the crowd moving, urging the already fanatical mob to jump, shout, and “throw their hands in the $%$!ing air!” Unfortunately the club was way too overcrowded. As the heat and energy of the crowd intensified, the vibe on the floor quickly turned aggressive and hostile.
Despite this serious lack of audience unity, fans were definitely excited and Prodigy was in fine form. The boys spun tunes which were (as always) elaborate, electrifying & powerful.

To wrap up their spectacular set, the band played a deliciously lengthy encore – six songs, including “Invaders Must Die,” “Smack My Bitch Up,” and the trippy old school “Out Of Space.”

Overall, a wicked and memorable show. Hot and overcrowded, yes. But the novelty of seeing the legendary Prodigy weave their electro-magic live? Worth it. Definitely.