- September 11 saw Richard Melville Hall, the man better known as Moby, arrive into Santiago not only on his fortieth birthday but also to promote his latest full-length release Hotel. We all know what 9/11 means to those in the Western world yet few probably know what occurred in the Andean capital on that same day thirty-two years ago; that is, the overthrowing of Salvador Allende and seizure of power by Augusto Pinochet.
So, while downtown Santiago was riddled with police rioting with left-wing protestors all day, up north at the Espacio Riesco Convention Centre people were preparing for the vegetarian-eater's night of nights.
An overcrowded 10,000-strong audience, many of whom were prominent show business local celebrities, tonight witnessed what many have already hailed as one of the best shows of the year, and backed up by a light show as blistering as Tokyo and Las Vegas. Warm-up Argentinean electro-pop act Miranda did little to ignite the party-goers but as soon as they'd finished their repertoire the deafening chanting for Moby began.
Taking to the stage about 11.30pm, the arena exploded almost instantly as Moby sailed through many of his biggest tunes, 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?', 'Lift Me Up', 'Porcelain', 'Bodyrock', 'Southside', '7', 'Natural Blues', 'Honey' and numerous others.
The audience revelled in the spectacle; each minute seeming like a passing-shot as they sung along to each enchanted melody, and with such emotion that even Moby exclaimed his surprise. Totally fulfilling all expectations, he and his beautiful back-up singer Joy Aleita Grand truly left those in attendance wanting and asking for more despite having only arrived at the airport two hours before the performance.
Many agree that Moby's emotions and ethos were brilliantly captured on his fittingly human and humble anthem, 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?' and 'Bodyrock', where he apologised for being a citizen under "the most stupid, ambitious and self-seeking President we have ever had".
At midnight the performance came to end, culminating with much applause for his backup singer, who then did an interpretation of The Doors classic, 'Break on Through' to the delight of the inspired audience.
Simply put, tonight Moby was icing on the cake for Chilean electronic musiclovers; at the same time sending out a clear honest message for humanity indeed.