The Stranglers Ruby Anniversary Tour – Birmingham O2 – 23rd March 2014
Crackle fizz pop buzz…
Hello!…
Crackle fizz hum…
Hello…
Click clack
If anyone can hear this transmission please pay attention…
Hum…
We came in search of The Oracle…
Hum fizz pop…
We ventured to Middle West of this un-enchanted island following information that we would encounter The Oracle there…
Buzz buzz…
We came upon the magical city of Birmingham in the heart of the Black Country but we encountered neither Oracle, Unicorn nor Cucumber…
Road weary, one of our number became most anxious as to the whereabouts of The Oracle…
We entered the heart of a Black Mass gathered at a local Inn known as The Crown… There we received a warm welcome and the reassurance that The Oracle was soon to be among our number…
Crackle hum fizz pop buzz…
I followed in the footsteps of the advanced party and made my way to the festivities at the Emporium known as The O2…
Inside this black dungeon the numbers quickly swelled to capacity.
After a fine performance from Nine Below Zero with their melodic old school R&B (and highly effective it is too!), it was time for the main event.
The Stranglers hit the stage for the Birmingham leg of their Ruby Anniversary Tour and it’s Bam Boom Bang … They’re on fire; London Lady and No More Heroes the opening 1-2 quickly followed by the swift Upper Cut of Coup De Grace. All of this gets the capacity crowds juices flowing and we’re set for the relentless two hour onslaught lapping up every note.
The choice of some of the bands more obscure material for the current set seems to go down well with the Birmingham crowd and the pace of the set, which slows down somewhat in the middle before picking up again for the final flourish, works perfectly well too!
Founding Father Jet Black joins the festivities for Golden Brown, Always the Sun and the masterpiece that is Genetix. JJ’s Bass really shines on this one tonight.
The mood of the band seems upbeat and they are tour tight. Drummer Jim is really doing a fine job of filling in for Jet. Baz is in the zone throughout as is Dave. Peasant being a highlight again for me plus Dave’s solo in Walk on By comes through loud and clear. Other highlights for me being Freedom is Insane and Norfolk Coast. A top show with a lively crowd. Alas no Jet on the encore for Tank but it was a great bonus to see him there at all to be fair… He did appear to be a little breathless truth be told. Then all too soon it was over…
As the numbers began to dwindle we did spy on the horizon The Oracle and paid her our respects… The Crown was once more visited before venturing out to the depths of India at The Royal Bengal….
The Oracle had these words of Wisdom to pass on…
Fizz Crackle Buzz…
…Red Button…
Pop Hum…
…Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.