We drove three hours there and back, both of us almost falling asleep to our road deaths on the way home. (Chatting about alcohol and rock ‘n’ roll saved our lives).
The gig was bloody brilliant. After a support band who looked like a bunch of school kids delighted to share the stage with obvious heroes (and who were very good) BRMC took to getting the crowd going. It was a delight to hear so many new songs - I can’t wait for their new album, Baby 81, which comes out at the end of April - and they started with a number called ‘Berlin’, followed immediately by the foot-stomping ‘Spread Your Love’.
Several of the old favourites came out. The crowd had itchy feet through ‘Ain’t No Easy Way’, and went plain crazy for ‘Whatever Happened…’ As usual Hayes and Been regularly switched guitars and bass, and last night, for a few numbers, the trio shared the stage with a rock kid (drummer Jago’s brother?) who offered up keys, BVs, and occasional guitar skills. Hayes added the harmonica now and again. They make a lot of noise for a three piece; a wall of sound with devastating chord drops, and endless blues’ riffs. The new single, ‘Weapon of Choice’ was already well-loved by the crowd despite only being available as a streaming file at the band’s website. A reworked ‘Sympathetic Noose’ was a treat. The acoustic guitars made a few appearances as well; a quiet highlight had Been on stage alone strumming out ‘Mercy’ (from the Howl Sessions EP) as the first encore.
Not accustomed to letting the son of God have an easy ride, last night Been declared in ‘Gospel Song’ that he would “stand with Jesus ‘til I can’t take another stone” - then he busied himself ripping the place apart with his searing guitar solo. Such a great rock ‘n’ roll band, and they will take on these taboo issues of religion and politics (that the new wave of indie bands dare not approach).
They are the real deal, throwing everything at you, and they gave it all last night to make it a great gig. Finishing off with ‘Heart & Soul’, the whole thing was over in less than an hour and a half.
