TuneLab
Adam Beyer
at Théâtre antique de Lugdunum in Lyon, France for Cercle
Adam Beyer in a Roman theatre—because nothing says ‘peak techno austerity’ like performing amidst ancient ruins for a crowd of black-clad devotees trying not to look too impressed. The Théâtre antique de Lugdunum in Lyon provides a stark, monumental backdrop, all crumbling stone and history, against which Beyer’s precision-engineered rhythms feel both futuristic and strangely primal. This is a relentless, driving techno set, averaging 130.5 BPM and predominantly hammering away in the powerful key of 12A, with strategic use of 3B and 7A for tonal variation. The energy is overwhelmingly low-focused (0.85), a testament to the genre’s power in the sub-bass, but with enough mid-range detail (0.13) in the form of sharp hi-hats, modulated synths, and the occasional vocal snippet to prevent it from becoming a mere exercise in brute force.
Beyer’s mixing is clinical and powerful, long blends that lock grooves into a hypnotic, forward-moving pulse, perfectly suited to the imposing venue. Standout tracks include the storming opener “Arrival” by Cosmic Boys, which immediately establishes a tense, cinematic atmosphere. Roberto Capuano’s “On Your Skin” is a later-set weapon, all pounding kicks and eerie, swirling atmospherics. The inclusion of Charlotte de Witte & Chris Liebing’s “Liquid Slow” is a brilliant, slower-burning, acid-tinged interlude, while Wehbba’s “Deluge” offers a more complex, percussive texture.
The Bryan Kearney remix of Bicep’s “Glue” is a surprising and effective melodic peak, proving Beyer isn’t afraid of emotion when it’s draped in steel. The journey kicks off with the dramatic “Arrival,” builds through muscular workouts like “Serum” and “Resonance,” and concludes with the mechanistic precision of Julian Jeweil’s “Schema,” a fittingly austere end to a monumental session.