After a week that, if I was being polite, could have been described as both difficult and challenging, one name was a common denominator in easing my troubled mind. That name was Mary, and they took me from Darklands to Everything’s Groovy across the space of two outstanding gigs over the weekend.
The Jesus & Mary Chain in Stereo
Having rocked my world with their return to perform the classic debut album Psychocandy in Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom several years ago, East Kilbride’s favourite sons Jim and William Reid were due to return to the self same venue to give the same treatment to their follow up Darklands in March last year. Well, we all know what happened, and due to rescheduling of dates I was unable to attend the new Barrowland date. Under normal circumstances this could have led to a tears and snotters situation, but fortunately, I had also managed to secure a gold-dust ticket to the band’s tour warm up date in the more intimate settings of Glasgow’s Stereo Cafe Bar.
Butterflies in the stomach made their appearance as is the norm before a gig of such epic proportions. The anticipation of seeing one of my favourite bands in a venue like this was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I mentioned earlier I had a challenging week at work, and the anxieties I had built up over the week hadn’t dissipated so I was creating every negative scenario my stupid brain could think of on my way in on the train.
A couple of friendly faces greeted me as I entered the venue, this and grabbing myself a drink at the bar eased my nerves and it was now just a waiting game, and I didn’t have to wait too long. having arrived not long before the 8pm start time. As expected, the venue was absolutely rammed, packed to the rafters, the partisan crowd amongst the luckiest people in Glasgow that night, awaiting their home coming heroes with an anticipation built up to such an extent you could cut the air with a knife.
Effortlessly Cool
As band took to the stage with their usual nonchalant swagger, the reaction of the crowd was anything but reserved as individuals lost their shit over the appearance of the Reid Brothers and co. Effortlessly cool, they launched into the album’s title track and as if by magic, all was well with the world. The laidback vibe of Darklands washing over me and creating an almost trance like state, like I was drifting above myself entirely hypnotised by the music.
What followed was a track by track chronological run through of the album, the atmosphere feeling more and more electric as the band got further through the set, including an expectedly thunderous reception for “the hit single” April Skies.
For me though the highlight of this first set was an astonishingly affecting version Fall. But I mean, how can you really choose a favourite from such a flawless album? If the evening had finished there I’d have been more than happy, but this was only the half-time break. Time for the assembled throng to lubricate their vocal chords before part two…
Incendiary and Visceral
What followed was a career spanning set of b-sides, album tracks, singles and fan favourites. There was something for everyone in the set of from the opening bars of Happy Place, they kept the crowd rapt and in their own happy places, visiting various points across their back catalogue along the way. A life affirming Everything is Alright When You’re Down, a laid back Come On, a trippy Up Too High and a crashing version of I Love Rock n Roll among others.
The closing duo of songs closed off the set in perfect fashion, Drop would have broken the hardest of hearts before their incendiary run through of the visceral Kill Surf City reignited the passion and vitality of everyone in the room, leaving them sated but still wanting a little more. Epic stuff.
Gaye Bykers on Acid in Broadcast
From the Mary Chain, to Mary Byker. The weekend drew to a close with a perfectly formed set of Gaye Bykers on Acid classic tracks played to an imperfectly perfect crowd of fervent baying Gaye Byker fans. Unfortunately parental duties meant we missed the entire support set from The Media Whores, but hopefully the opportunity to play to a slightly different audience to normal won them some new fans.
Mary, Robber and Kev were joined by Tom Stanley with Tony being unable to travel from Japan in the current pandemic climate… Other than that, it was like the band had never been away, despite not playing here for about 100 years. Part of the “grebo” scene, Gaye Bykers were criminally overlooked, when a lot of other bands in the scene went on to massive chart success.
Maybe its because, as Mary quipped last night, their record label were looking for the new Rick Astley. Oh how disappointed they must have been, but to the joy and relief of the fans of the band, they continued to plough their own furrow creating a glorious noise in the process, a wonderful amalgam of punk rock & metal guitars, funk, dance beats and samples, with a thunderous bass thanks to Robber.
Crowd Pleaser
As I said, it was like they had never been away. The set was undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser and despite us all looking a bit older than we did way back when, even if just for tonight we didn’t feel it. There was absolutely no way anyone could have left Broadcast last night with out a smile from ear to ear. Mary’s vocal was as strong as ever, Robber’s insane bass lines shook the whole building, Kev was solid as a rock at the back and Tom riffed and shredded as if his life depended on it.
Kicking off with TV Cabbage, there was a core of fans right at the front who from that moment on didn’t stop dancing all night singing back ever word of every song to Mary and Co. It was hard to believe this was a Sunday night, the atmosphere was electric. And it just got madder and madder all night. Not only were the band on fire musically, but they were on banter overload too, recounting tales of Mary and Robber having to share a bed in the hotel the previous night, and raising the old West/East rivalry – “Glaswegians and whatever they’re called from Edinburgh” – “Cunts” came the deadpan reply form a sole voice.
Everything’s Groovy
If you’d asked any one of the assembled throng to pick a set they’d want to hear live, they’d probably have gone for exactly the set the Bykers played, they know their audience well, what with Git Down (Shake Your Thang), Shoulders, Better off Dedd, the Iain Banks inspired Don’t Be Human Eric, Let’s Be Frank and Hot Thing interspersed throughout (just to mention a few). The “encore” (they never left the stage) was a trio that had those down the front increase their fervour a few notches with Zen Express, Everything’s Groovy and Nosedive Karma allowing them to let loose and go a bit unhinged for one last time for the night.
Dinnae leave it so long ’til next time.
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