Photos and Review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography

UNKLE took the stage at the UC Theater in Berkeley on September 18th, presenting their new live experience Ronin, a selection of remixes and classics, in front of a crowd of fans who’d been waiting to see them for years. UNKLE rarely tours, and hasn’t played live in the Bay Area since 2010 at the Regency Ballroom.

Opener Mophono kicked things off with a DJ set that got the crowd primed and ready for UNKLE, leading the way with deep vinyl cuts he pulled from crates and expertly mixed.

For 30 years UNKLE frontman and Mo-Wax co-founder James Lavelle has worked as a producer, tastemaking DJ, and musical curator, and has collaborated with everyone from DJ Shadow to Thom Yorke to Brian Eno to Massive Attack to Josh Homme. Playing this Berkeley date was a boon for fans who came from far and wide to see them live.

The UNKLE tour consisted of only five dates for now – NY, LA, Berkeley, Mexico City, and Guadalajara – but will hopefully come around for more in the near future. For up to date news check out unkle.com.