Pendulum DJ set secretly recorded on Spitbank Fort in the Solent as exclusive new music is revealed

ELECTRONIC act Pendulum recorded a secret DJ set on Spitbank Fort complete with huge laser show.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Details of the recording - set to feature exclusive new music - were revealed today as the hour-long set is set to be streamed on YouTube at midday.

It comes after the the band dropped its first tracks in 10 years – Nothing for Free and Driver last week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The News revealed plans for a huge laser show in the Solent on September 14 but up until now only rumours swirled around Pendulum's involvement.

Pendulum stream their music video from Spitbank Fort. Picture: Decade ManagementPendulum stream their music video from Spitbank Fort. Picture: Decade Management
Pendulum stream their music video from Spitbank Fort. Picture: Decade Management

Details had emerged in an innocuous Queen’s Harbour Master notice to mariners warning of a ‘pyrotechnics and laser display’ between 9.15pm and 10.15pm.

But today it can be revealed frontman Rob Swire was on vocals and DJing with founder member Gareth McGrillen, alongside guitarist Peredur Ap Gwynedd.

Read More
Mystery surrounds laser display at Spitbank Fort in the Solent

Spitbank Fort, a former naval defence turned luxury hotel - and one of three forts currently up for sale in the Solent - was kitted out with 'world-class festival production' for the performance.

Laser show on Spitbank fort, view from Southsea Common on September 14, 2020. Picture: Habibur RahmanLaser show on Spitbank fort, view from Southsea Common on September 14, 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Laser show on Spitbank fort, view from Southsea Common on September 14, 2020. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokeswoman for Pendulum said there was a ‘full spectacular light show alongside a huge SFX set up including lasers, pyro and

flames'.

She said the set was captured by director John Paveley by drone and handheld cameras, with others around the fort.

Pendulum DJ Paul ‘El Hornet’ Harding was stranded in Australia and live drummer Kevin ‘KJ’ Sawka was stuck in America due to Covid-19.

Pendulum stream their music video from Spitbank Fort. Picture: Decade ManagementPendulum stream their music video from Spitbank Fort. Picture: Decade Management
Pendulum stream their music video from Spitbank Fort. Picture: Decade Management

Last week The News tracked down a boat loaded with speakers at Gosport Marina and due to head to Spitbank Fort but all involved remained tight-lipped over its purpose.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speakers, lights and amplifiers from five or six vans were loaded onto the fort’s boat as it went back and forth all day ahead of the recording last Monday.

Spitbank Fort and No Man's Land Fort were both this year listed for sale at the price of £4m each.

They are both luxury hotels while Horse Sands Fort is now a museum.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

Related topics: