Gig Review – The Stranglers
Guildford 14th March 2016
Oh Guildford Lil…
Spinning in ever decreasing circles, wheels within wheels in perpetual motion, spiralling infinitely inward, I eventually found myself on Level 9 of the multi-story in Guildford…
In the very next bay were SiB and Will, we walked out to street level where we encountered none other than Guildford Lil! Taking advantage of this situation we made our way to the delightful Rose Valley restaurant for a spot of pre-gig sustenance.
Fed and watered, a mild panic began to set in as realisation dawned as to the potential lack of a car key in the vicinity of jacket pocket. Calmly re-traced footsteps eventually located it (via the restaurant) back to the car park in the ignition where it had been left…
Normal service resumed it was onward to G-live, the destination for the annual Stranglers home-coming gig.
Whilst sages in black have wisely philosophised that you don’t need to drink to have a good time, navigating the drunken staircase at G-live could lead one to suggest that, having abstained from the grog, if you want to remember what it feels like to be sloshed this will suffice! etc ETC EiTC…
From whence we made our way to a packed bar with muffled sounds indicating that The Alarm’s set was in progress. We procured some refreshments, caught up with Mr and Mrs C and friends and before we knew it – we knew it was – 5 minutes to stage time – thanks to the G-live tannoy announcement – most civilised!…
We made our way in to the main hall and gravitated toward the stage where we encountered many of the usual suspects in waiting…
Gig Review
Waltzinblack and away we go…
The band delivered Black and White with fire and precision. Highlights again being experiencing the album played in its entirety while highlighting both In The Shadows and Enough Time for the skill and perfection of execution.
A burst of colour and Grip saw them sail through the second part of the set. Walk on By never failing to please and the excellent Princess of The Streets just out there!
The sound tonight was spot on!
In past years the crowd in Guildford, while always most appreciative, have been more focused on watching and listening than dancing but tonight a good few are up for it! The mosh vortex dragged me in where I found myself alongside Raymond and a fairly good natured bunch. The band seemed to notice the increase in activity and in turn feed off the extra-liveliness of the crowd tonight (which Baz alluded to at the end of the set).
Encores were a little thin on the ground being light by two or so numbers compared with Brixton but that’s no complaint really after a performance delivered so well! And besides, who wouldn’t take the chance to clock off early of a Monday when it presents itself?
Over…
Words: Matthew Elvis Brown. Pictures: Andy Miller.
So that time of year has come around again already!
The black clad disciples and pilgrims descend upon the holy shrine known as The Hope and Anchor in Sunny Islington North London.
Once more the focus shines on the pre-gig social – this is not just a gig/go see the band play for an hour or two type affair! This is devotees, fanatics, family and friends making the best of a day out with that hour or two at the end of the day being the icing on the cake! etc ETC EiTC
This particular pilgrim stopped off at Euston en route to pop into the delightful Diwana on Drummond Street to partake of their magnificent buffet lunch at just £6.95 a head.
Fully loaded then continuing on, arriving at the H&A in a thrice to find family, friends and many a disciple in wait for the event.
Straighten Out Pre-Gig:
And so we shy away from the dazzling sunlight of London’s early attempt at spring and head down in to the depths of the darkness for the show…
It’s been said before – but to hear Straighten Out play their super authentic Stranglers tribute in this auspicious venue (an important part of the bands early history) is just more than a bit special.
Close your eyes and think of 1977
It’s as close as one can get to the real thing. Time travel indeed! And to add to the air of authenticity there are one or two of the Stranglers more famous fans around today; in the shape of some Finchley Boys and a Stranglers percussionist.
The audience respond with enthusiasm as Waltzinblack oozes through the speakers and the band strike up into Tank. Shaggy jokes that they’re going to do something novel and play through the whole of the Black and White album but they do no such thing and deliver up a set of classic Stranglers tunes, many of which won’t be played by the MiB themselves later the very same evening.
The crowd lap up every last drop of the musical magnificence and magnificent it is in its authenticity, as they dance, sing along, close their eyes and nod their heads or just stand awe-struck!
I take my place early on near the front in a prime spot for the aural cleansing. I loved the whole lot but if I had to choose a highlight it would have to be Bear Cage as it was just absolutely superb with the whole crowd singing along and chanting on the GMBH! Then of course The Men in Black comes a very close whisker distant second, utterly sublime!
Before long we’re back upstairs continuing the social with fans from far and wide, one of the furthest travelled of whom would have to be Nice and Sleazy who made the journey from Florida!
A few drinks then we poured ourselves through a hole in the pavement to take the subterranean express to Brixton Town. Along the way TBC entertains the whole carriage with his one man punk rock karaoke juke box show and before we knew where we were, we were there… Brixton that is!
No Room at the Inn…
We made our way along to the Beehive only to find there was no room at the inn but persistence eventually paid off and we were granted access. After a bit more chin-wagging with a few more familiars we paid our respects to the Bowie shrine before throwing a U-ie and heading on to the venue…
Not far outside of where, we encounter some unfortunate souls who were denied access in spite of being on a certain bassists guess list! We stand around and chat and offer moral support before eventually making our way into a very packed out Brixton Academy.
Gig Review
Having not been here for some years I was immediately struck by the internal architecture and how the rake of the flooring afforded an excellent view of the stage from almost everywhere one chose to stand on the ground floor. Nice!
We arrived in time for the penultimate song and a half from The Alarm who, while not everyone’s cup of tea, sounded pretty good and were giving it all from what we saw of their performance. And, importantly, the crowd were lapping it up and hemmed in for the support band which also finds in their favour.
I spied Pidge, Alex and Greg and went to say hello… Just then Waltzinblack signalled the arrival of the MiB and the crowd went bananas as they struck into Tank.
From out of nowhere TBC ploughed a furrow down to the barrier where he duly safely delivered one Bellainblack, then Mr and Mrs C joined us and I went from innocent bystander to psychotic hippy in one fell swoop as Mr C engaged bulldozer mode and dragged one and all into the moshpit! A lively hot and sweaty couple of hours of jumping, dancing, singing followed – as the MiB tore through Black and White and more.
And it all made sense. The capacity crowd seemed to love every minute of it. Any concerns as to whether the casual punter would get it seemed insignificant as everyone seemed up for Black and White and beyond.
Once more the stage set was magnificent and on second live hearing Enough Time hit the spot! No mean feat to pull this one off live with all its intricate timing and what have you! The album sounded magnificent.
Then Grip and the stage exploding into colour signalled the beginning of the second part of this evening’s set.
Walk on By captivated once more. And tonight we had 5 minutes added to the set. Dead Ringer, Nuke, IFLAW and the awesome Princess were highlights for me along with the encore number Go Buddy Go which JJ introduced as being ‘Real Pub Rock!’
All too soon were off out once more into the cold London evening to wend our ways home. Hopping on to a carriage at Brixton tube I realised I was surrounded by almost exactly the same good folks with whom I’d shared the journey here previously in the afternoon.
The Stranglers on Tour, so much more than just a bunch of gigs!
Over…
Words: Matthew (EiTC) Brown. Pictures and Videos: David (Toiler on The Sea) Kidd.
Waking bleary eyed in not so sunny South West London, the travellers hitched up their wagon and headed way out west…
Stopping off at a staging post saloon for herbal tea and armed escort to Heathrow!
Where Sib saw us safely aboard the express to Glasgow…
Pre-Gig
Landing in Sunny Scotland we made our way to the delightful 13th Note.
Here we took in a spot of this fabulous establishment’s fine nutritious fayre.
Then heading down to the cellar where a posse of friendly faces from near and far were gathered to enjoy the pre-gig from Local band The Vex…
…who delivered a fine set comprising a selection of Punk Rock and New Wave classics interspersed with their own expertly crafted original material. Top stuff and highly recommended.
Social
We made our way back to the hotel for a spot of rejuvenating Siesta time before heading off out to the pre-gig social…
…On which note philosophers have ruminated on the importance of the pre-gig social – which is indeed a fascinating concept both experientially and conversationally… Leading some to muse that one day in the future ‘this’ is all that there will be… On this occasion we briefly had the pleasure of the company of Lord Alias who has this practise down to a fine art… All things must pass – existing (as we do and all of time does) as a brief flickering moment in the vast unfolding universe… We have one of the greatest bands on the planet with a hoard of fanatical followers resembling and referred to as the Family in Black… Let’s make the most of it while we can! etc ETC EiTC…
Off to a Crystal Palace packed to the gunnels with a great chunk of the aforementioned Fans in Black gathered in anticipation of the imminent Stranglers performance. Following a brief stop off at the Laurieston and a quick Namaste to the Nepalese gentleman, that was exactly what occurred! A Stranglers performance that is!
Gig Review
Arriving inside a packed O2 we set up camp near the mixing desk an unusual move but necessary when knackered! This also afforded a completely different perspective sonically and visually.
Settling just in time for the opening bars of Waltzinblack and to witness the sell-out crowd show their appreciation for The Men in Black…
Black and White
Taking the stage The Stranglers ploughed their way through the entire Black and White album with barely a breath or pause between. The monochrome stage set neatly reflecting the stark juxtaposition of the Black and White theme, most effectively.
Highlights for this part of the set to these ears being the whole album but of course if forced to choose – Dave’s excellent crooning on Do You Wanna closely followed by In The Shadows and Sweden.
At this point, being my first date of the tour I’m still too stunned by Enough Time to have formulated an opinion!…
Part Two
Then…
BOOM!
The lights kicked in to colour and the sound took off with the mighty Grip, a really effective contrast away from the first part of the set giving way to the perma-classic Walk on By, as the band coolly executed the remainder of the set which comprised a mix of classics and hits, old and new.
There followed a bit of banter and mutual appreciation as Baz informed the house that Glasgow was always the highlight of the tour and he doesn’t just say this line at every town…
Highlights part two for EiTC were WoB, (Dave Fave) Dead Ringer, The magnificent Princess of The Streets and Go Buddy Go.
Most notably absent: Stranglers in no Golden Brown Horror Shock!
…A brave move, which didn’t seem to bother the casual punter too much, as they lapped up the other assorted classics and hits.
Observances from afar…
Located as we were in a slightly elevated position toward the back of the venue afforded a unique new perspective (for EiTC)… Most interesting was the phenomenon of witnessing the crowd as a whole responding to the performance. During the more energetic and well known songs they would move and mosh about strongly. In some of the more up-tempo numbers they would respond with a gusto which would plateau out to a more sustainable pace quite quickly. While with some of the newer material and lesser known older material they would appear quite motionless. Yet the response at the end of each song was always rousingly appreciative. etc ETC EiTC
Afterwards we went for a spot of Curry before escorting Antro back to his motor vehicle then making our way back to the hotel.
Homeward
The next day we shared a taxi to the airport with evonx, where we enjoyed his company and that of a few more FiB before a lost passport panic and making it aboard our flight home by the skin of our teeth after a mad dash across the whole of the departure area.
The charming air hostess advised us to take a moment to remind ourselves that we’re really sexy! And before we knew it we were out on the tarmac at Heathrow where SiB collected us and delivered us safely back to our carriage…
