The last time The Primitives played Broadcast, the venue was, at best, half full. This time round though, the gig was a sell out, maybe this was partly the Saturday night effect, but whatever the reason, I made sure I was there early to get a good spot, having been at sell out gigs in the venue before and getting stuck somewhere I could see virtually nothing.
The only gripe I had about this was, I was standing around looking like a lemon for what seemed like hours. Despite the ticket saying doors at 7, show starts 8, it was another 45 minutes after that before The Primitives took to the stage.
I’m an advocate for support bands, making an effort to get to venues early to see the band, it felt like a wasted opportunity not to have one, even just to kill time, or not to have to listen to Muse and a wheen of other bands on the venues playlist which didn’t seem to fit the gig. When you’re standing around twiddling your thumbs you notice things like that.
But none of that really mattered, with those thoughts soon dissipating when the band took to the compact Broadcast stage. Thankfully someone also seemed to find a switch for air conditioning at the same time otherwise I may have expired on the spot.
When the band kicked off, the years slipped away, and I was back in the 80s when when I was younger and times were simpler. Hang on, actually times were exactly the same, rising interest rates, strikes, people living on the breadline, while bankers and big corporates line their pockets. The one associating factor? Evil & corrupt Tory government. Anyway, give me a second while I jump down from the soapbox.
At least the soundtrack to these repellent times includes (included) the upliftingly joyful music of The Primitives. Something got me more irritated than I probably should have this week on socials. I saw people laughing and joking about the band being one hit wonders, some of them in bands who are probably known by no one else but their immediate family and their dug. Smacks of jealousy and an uninformed view of a band that has tunes aplenty and four top forty hits to their name. Crash, Out of Reach, Way Behind Me and Sick of It, all getting an airing during this crowd pleasing set celebrating, particularly the Lovely album, but taking in songs from across the bands career, including recent single Don’t Know Where to Start.
The set included an advertised acoustic set, this was slipped in midway through, after they’d got the crowd going with rousing versions of well loved songs from their back catalogue. Opening with Thru the Flowers and running though perfect three minute pop song after perfect fuzzy pop song, including rousing versions of Sick of It and Stop Killing Me. People all around me dancing and singing along to every song.
I suppose I had a concern about having an interlude to play a a set of acoustic songs after belting out such a top quality selection of fuzzy electric guitar pop bangers.
As Paul swapped his electric guitar for an acoustic and Tracy settled on her stool, any fears were quashed as they impressed with a set of quality stripped back versions of songs such as the hypnotic Shadow and Buzz Buzz Buzz still retaining its vital energy before the acoustic section ended with a beautiful version of Ocean Blue.
Knowing exactly how to push the crowds buttons, the first song of the final part of the show, back to the full electric band, was the big hit, Crash, a wry smile crossing Tracy’s face as she witnessed the reaction of the crowd, singing along to every word in a glorious cacophony. This was the indication of the start to a rapturous reception to the remainder of the set, closing with an two barrelled encore of Everything Shining Bright and one of the bands definitive singles, the wonderful Really Stupid. Just one of the highlights of a set strewn with those “OMG I love this song” moments from across the years, every single one of the afore-mentiond and more, many more… Rattle My Cage, I’ll Stick With You, Lose the Reason, Petals, Run Baby Run… the list goes on. Despite this being such an epic set, it still felt as if it ended too soon, I would happily have stayed for another hour. But as it was, I still say, fuck the naysayers, The Primitives will always be a band that can bring the sunshine, joy and happiness into my day. Lovely.
Buzz Buzz Buzz and Stop Killing Me are two of my favourites. Sounds fun. You’re right though, bands coming on later is a constant source of annoyance. I review theatre, dance and gigs. Imagine if the ballet started later than billed… The crowd would choke on their Merlot!