There are few figures left in Rock n Roll which can be referred to accurately as “legends”. Primal Scream are one of the few whereby the cap fits and with more than 30 years in the business they came to the quaint Albert Hall in Manchester to show there is plenty left in the Scream tank as they completed a mini tour in support of their latest album ‘Chaosmosis’.
Following support from Bo Ningen, The Scream entered the stage bang on 9pm to ear-piercing roar kicking off with ‘Movin On Up’. Very much a crowd pleaser to get the crowd going, Bobby Gillespie is on top form caressing the stage with energy levels way higher than they should be of a man his age and getting the crowd going clapping in time.
Next up was new single ‘Where The Light Gets In’ with Hannah Marsden (of The Snides) taking on Sky Ferreira’s vocal duties, harmonising with Gillespie to great effect. Lead single from 2013’s massively underrated ‘More Light’ album ‘It’s Alright It’s Ok’ follows and reminds us that the bands back catalogue has a depth and quality only few can rival.
This is further justified with the raucous rendition of ‘Jailbird’ from 1994’s ‘Give Out But Don’t Give Up’. The band throw in live favourite from 2000’s ‘XTRMTR’ in the shape of ‘Accelerator’ next. This is a track which to some could sound harsh on the ears, but it’s perfect. It’s angry riotess punk rock at its finest with Simone Butler on bass playing perfectly on a song which her predecessor Mani used to thrive. From the same album the Scream also throw in ‘Kill All Hippies’ ‘Swastika Eyes’ and ‘Shoot Speed Kill Light’ which highlight what a superb album that was (was it really 16 years ago?!).
Although the crowd isn’t jumping up and down to these numbers they are intensely watching, studying and taking in the performance and power of the politically motivated back catalogue. Duffy seems in his element on these tracks, getting right into his groove whilst Andrew Innes carries the band superbly as the solo guitarist now left in The Scream following the sad and untimely death of Throb in 2014.
With some of the finest moments of The Scream back catalogue were getting an airing there was room for only four tracks from the new album with ‘Where The Blackout Meets The Fallout’, ‘Golden Rope’ and Trippin’ On Your Love’ all getting a place in the setlist and not sounding out of place at all.
2006’s surprise hit, and (bizarrely) still their biggest to date ‘Country Girl’ and the ever radio friendly ‘Rocks’ close the main part of the set before they return for the encore consisting of ‘100% or Nothing’ the crowd nodding ‘Loaded’ and the always euphoric set closer ‘Come Together’
The Scream continue to show what is missing from today’s music scene with many of the new crop of artistes unable to match their passion, style. Here is a legendary band, with something to say, and they know how to say it. A few festival dates are in the pipeline for the Summer, try to catch them where you can.
Setlist:
Movin’ On Up
Where The Light Gets In
It’s Alright, It’s Ok
Jailbird
Accelerator
When The Blackout Meets The Fallout
Kill All Hippies
Shoot Speed Kill Light
(I’m Gonna ) Cry Myself Blind
Golden Rope
Trippin’ On Your Love
Swastika Eyes
Country Girl
Rocks
Encore:
100% Or Nothing
Loaded
Come Together
