Live Review

Echo And The Bunnymen – Brixton Academy, London

• 15th Dec 2010

So last night it was the turn of Echo and The Bunnymen to take over South London’s most acclaimed venue with their darker take on the 80’s from what most may consider. Playing the show in two parts, they showcased their first two records at first, then a selection of favourites that everyone was eager to here.

Kicking off with the first album Crocodiles the crowd looked were enthralled with post punk vibes, the crowds faces lighting up with the beginning of ‘Monkeys’ even more so with the first melody of ‘Rescue.’ Next came the turn of follow up Heaven Up Here, with it’s brilliant first track ‘Show Of Strength’ the audience mimed along.

With a crowd that had the minimum age of about 35 tonight seemed to be a trail of passage for many, a band they’d literally grown up alongside of, it became almost a transition from their childhood for some. Leaving the gig feeling complete and content.

The stage set combined the persistent use of strobes against the backdrop of ivy hanging high to the ceiling. Working surprisingly well, it really set the moment as echoing guitars radiated through the venue.

“Better than the stooges” came a line from McCulloch, famed for his on stage banter. On form tonight, he left most of the stalls bewildered throughout. Even at one point breaking off into his own little stand up session as the encore kicked in.

The encore came as a second part, and Ian’s “favourite” bit. Playing through their most favoured tracks, they started with a powerful extended version of ‘Lips Like Sugar’ then into ‘Bring On The Dancing Horses,’ followed by a stunning version of ‘The Killing Moon,’ which Ian McCulloch seems to consider “The best song ever.” The night was perfectly topped off with ‘The Cutter,’ as fans left with the chimes of bells echoing in their ears, back into the November evening.

Although slightly long winded with their intro, tonight was a nice nod back into the old days of guitar fuelled music, a stark change from what it’s become nowadays, and that in itself is no bad thing. If you can handle Ian’s banter, seeing Echo and the Bunnymen is the perfect way to remember those old days we say we all miss.

7/10