United Kingdom 
Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
1 week ago
Underworld, formed in 1987 in Cardiff, Wales, is a British electronic music group known for its innovative approach to dance and techno, influencing a generation of musicians and appearing in major film and cultural events.
Interested in booking Underworld?
Request A ShowUnderworld is represented by agents Samantha KY, James W., and Marissa L. at United Talent Agency (UTA). Greg Lowe and Douglas used to be Underworld's agents. This suggests a professional relationship for booking and management.
Mark Knight and D. Ramirez released the single "Downpipe", which featured vocal contributions from Underworld's Karl Hyde. The song was released on Mark Knight's Toolroom Records label.
Underworld originated in the late 1970s with Karl Hyde and Rick Smith forming the band Screen Gemz in Cardiff, influenced by Kraftwerk and reggae. This early collaboration evolved into Freur, which signed with CBS Records and released “Doot-Doot” in 1983. Freur disbanded in 1986 after their follow-up album was not released in the UK. In 1987, Hyde and Smith, along with Alfie Thomas, Bryn Burrows, and Baz Allen, formed Underworld, named after a 1985 horror film scored by Freur. This iteration, referred to as “Underworld Mk1,” signed with Sire Records and released “Underneath the Radar” in 1988 and “Change the Weather” in 1989. After a stadium tour opening for Eurythmics, which left the band in debt, Underworld Mk1 disbanded in 1990.
After a hiatus during which Hyde and Smith worked on the art/design project Tomato, they reformed in 1992, relocating to Romford, Greater London. They recruited DJ Darren Emerson, marking the beginning of “Underworld Mk2.” This new trio shifted towards danceable techno, releasing material under aliases Lemon Interupt and Steppin’ Razor before readopting the Underworld name. Their debut album as Underworld Mk2, “Dubnobasswithmyheadman” (1994), was critically acclaimed for its blend of dance music elements and Hyde’s poetic, stream-of-consciousness lyrics. This album was followed by “Second Toughest in the Infants” (1996), which gained significant commercial success coinciding with the film “Trainspotting.” The film notably featured “Dark & Long (Dark Train)” and the commercially successful “Born Slippy Nuxx,” originally a B-side. These releases cemented Underworld’s reputation for atmospheric, progressive compositions merging techno, house, drum and bass, and experimental music.
The group continued to achieve milestones with “Beaucoup Fish” in 1999, an album whose creation involved the members working individually and communicating through shared mixes. This period concluded with a well-received tour documented in the live album and DVD “Everything, Everything.” In 2000, Darren Emerson departed to pursue solo interests, and Hyde and Smith continued as a duo. They released “A Hundred Days Off” in 2002, followed by a 2-disc anthology “1992–2002” in 2003. Collaborations and scoring work continued, including the score for the film “Breaking and Entering” (2006) with Gabriel Yared, and “Sunshine” (2007) with John Murphy. Underworld also contributed significantly to the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle, showcasing their music on a global stage and earning them a Q Award for Innovation in Sound.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
