Electronic duo Orbital made their name in the mid 1990s with tunes such as Chime and The Saint, now, after some time apart, brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll are back and playing at Get Loaded in The Park in Clapham Common at the end of the month. Here, GRAHAM MOODY talks to Paul about returning to the festival circuit, the rave parties of old and those trademark glasses.

Graham Moody: So how does it feel to back on the festival circuit?

Paul Hartnoll: It’s really exciting. We always said never say never about coming back and I think the timing was just right. We had both done solo records and worked on different things apart. I have been working on a film score and scoring music for adverts but you do miss going out and playing the old tracks live.

GM: Get Loaded in The Park is your only London show, are you looking forward to it?

PH: Yes, it’s going to be a great moment as the sun sets over Clapham Common. There is no new record so people can expect the old favourites, it’s great playing Chime, always is a great moment. As it’s a Bank Holiday and you're in a park in London people are obviously out to have a fantastic time and that just rubs off on everyone and the vibe is great.

GM: Clapham Common used to be the scene of many a rave or after party, what are your memories of it?

PH: It’s sketchy but I do remember Clapham having some huge warehouse parties that would go on for days. The rave scene was just a lot of fun, nothing was particularly well organised and that was its charm, it was just a lot of friends setting up a spontaneous party and playing the music we wanted to hear.

GM: Is there a defining moment that stands out for you from that era?

PH: For Orbital, I think playing at Glastonbury in 1994. Looking out and seeing 50,000 people dancing to your music was very surreal and obviously very exciting.

GM: The trademark glasses are back but when you first wore them, was it for practical or fashion reasons?

PH: Purely practical, we needed to see our equipment. After being inspired by Robert de Niro’s character in Brazil, who wore some plumbers torch glasses, we got ourselves some and the rest is history. We have just had our first ever custom built glasses made by a model maker so we’re getting professional with them now.

  • Orbital, Get Loaded in the Park, Clapham Common, August 30, 12pm to 9pm, £35. Call 0844 847 2467 or visit getloadedinthepark.com.