The American artist delivered a live performance lasting over two hours, revisiting classics from 'Play' and '18' and connecting with the Sevillian audience despite the heat.
Last weekend, Moby returned to a stage in Seville, performing at the ICÓNICA Sevilla Fest, within the grounds of Plaza de España. The 58-year-old New Yorker gave a concert lasting nearly two and a half hours, revisiting the greatest hits of his career, from 90s anthems to more recent tracks. The event, part of the festival's concert cycle, drew thousands of attendees who sang along to every song.
An electrifying start with 90s classics
The night kicked off with the electrifying “Bodyrock”, a track that hinted at the energy the artist would unleash on stage. Moby, dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, moved tirelessly between guitars, congas, and keyboards, demonstrating that his raver spirit remains intact. The audience, filling a large part of the stands, responded with claps and jumps from the very first minute. The temperature, hovering around 35 degrees at nine in the evening, was not a hindrance: the heat became a party ally.
The repertoire included key tracks from his album “Play” (1999), such as “Natural Blues”, “Porcelain”, and “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?”, which were performed with great feeling by vocalists India Carney and Nadia Duggin. Both added a soul and gospel touch to a show that also embraced rock and techno. Moby, a vegan and activist, interspersed images on the screens with ecological and animal rights messages, without being confrontational. “Live and let live,” seemed to be his motto, and the audience appreciated it.
The intimate moment: David Bowie cover
One of the most emotional moments of the night came with the acoustic and intimate rendition of “Heroes” by David Bowie. Moby, alone with his guitar, created a pause amidst the rhythmic whirlwind. The audience, which had not stopped dancing until then, lit up their mobile phone flashlights, creating a sea of lights that spread across the square. It was a necessary interlude before the final stretch, which revved up again with tracks like “Extreme Ways” and “Go”.
The American artist was particularly close to the Sevillian audience. At several moments, he stumbled through Spanish, shared anecdotes about his early concerts in Spain, and joked about the heat: “It’s hotter than in New York,” he said with laughter. He also threw in a few jabs at former President Donald Trump, which were met with applause. Unlike other artists who glide by, Moby gave his all, and the connection was palpable.
An encore that felt like a 90s club
After the main set, the encores transformed Plaza de España into a 90s dance floor. “Lift Me Up” and “Feeling So Real” resonated with a power that left no one indifferent. The setlist, which also included “Raining Again” (in its Steve Angello remix) and “Disco Lies”, proved that Moby's music remains relevant three decades later. “It’s not nostalgia, it’s pure energy,” commented one spectator upon exiting, still euphoric.
The concert, part of the ICÓNICA Sevilla Fest programme, left an excellent taste in the mouths of attendees, who praised both the sound quality and the staging. The festival's organisation, which this year has opted for a mix of established and emerging artists, confirmed that Moby has been one of the highlights of the edition. For the Sevillians, it was a unique opportunity to see an icon of electronic music in an incomparable setting, and the artist did not disappoint.
The music rendezvous doesn’t end here: the ICÓNICA Sevilla Fest continues its programme over the coming weeks, with concerts from artists like Lizzo and The Chemical Brothers. Tickets for the upcoming dates are still available on the festival's website. For those who missed it, there remains the memory of a night when Moby proved that the rave is still alive, and in Seville, more than ever.
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