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Alongside Kraftwerk, Can and Faust, Neu! had a huge impact on punk, indie, techno and all types of modern electronic and rock music since their peak years of 1971-1975. Famous fans include David Bowie, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, Radiohead, Public Image Limited, Primal Scream, Stereolab and Simple Minds - all of whom have incorporated the Neu! aesthetic into their own music. Like much architecture and painting of the 20th century, Neu!'s music is minimal - repetitive grooves underpinned by a steady 'motorik' drum beat, with psychedelic guitar and synth lines playing simple but beautiful, chiming melodies. Much of the music sounds freestyled and jammed but certainly has set rhythms, textures and structures.

This gig was like a gathering of the clans. The venue was packed with familiar faces, music addicts who you recognise from constantly attending live shows, radio producers, record collectors and above all lots of musicians. Members of Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai, Errors and Camera Obscura were there, as was Steve Severin of Siouxsie & the Banshees apparently (although I didn't see him!). Let's just say men and women of a certain age and musical persuasion were in attendance with chins ready to be stroked.

Glasgow krautrock afficionados Moon Unit opened up and played one song for about 30 minutes in true psychedelic style, going down extremely well with the knowing crowd.

They were followed by the main attraction - a simple trio of Michael Rother on guitar, laptop and effects, Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth on drums and Aaron Mullan of The Tall Firs on bass. Starting with their namesake song Hallogallo they careered through tracks from ther 3 LP's - Neu!, Neu! 2 and Neu! '75 - as well as two previously unknown numbers, which were also available to buy on 7" single (and i bought it!). Without nit-picking too much (some people inferred that it was a little more 'rock' than the records, and the drums were possibly a little too loud), the sound was superb and the playing incredible.

Having heard others rave about their Primavera Festival appearance in Barcelona recently, I was duly blown away. What a gig and what a one-off experience. I never thought that in my lifetime I would get to see and hear a band including Rother play this material live. It still sounds like the music of the future.