On the hottest evening of the year, the opening concert of MIF09 saw pop pioneers and committed cycling fans Kraftwerk fill the Velodrome, as members of the Olympic medal-winning GB cycling team raced round the track. The German innovators celebrated the history of dance music and signposted its future, addressing nuclear energy, the environment and technology, and bringing Kraftwerk-branded glasses for the audience to use in a special 3D section. The bill was completed by the world premiere of Steve Reich’s 2×5, a throbbing, propulsive new work for band and tape by America’s greatest living composer.

‘A sly and subversive – but best of all, fun – celebration of modernism and modernity. Truly wonderful’ The Guardian

Produced by Manchester International Festival. 2×5 commissioned by Manchester International Festival and Casa da Música, Porto.