Monday, December 19, 2005

Coldplay
Manchester Evening News Arena, Monday 19th December 2005


It has been something of a roller coaster year for Coldplay. The bands third album was finally released in the summer after numerous delays – mainly due to apparent artistic tensions attendant in the recording sessions. Fractious moments in the studio – that nearly resulted in X&Y not being released.

There was also the added pressure the news that their record company EMI had posted a loss in profits as a result of the delayed release. When the record was finally released in some quarters the album was received with muted criticism from a number of critics. The fact that the band had become so big – was seemingly the main reason they had become more of a target.

You can certainly see why in the live arena that the band seemingly thrives away from the minutiae and resultant pressures of being one of the World’s biggest bands.

For all the criticism of the new album, Coldplay do cut the mustard on the stage and tonight’s triumphal gig was no exception. Be it headlining a festival or on a tour in their own right. Three albums in Coldplay have become the band that people will go to see without having purchased the new material. Mainly in the hope they will play the old stuff and the single they have heard on the radio. You could say they have reached U2-like status

This was something of a homecoming night in the vast space that is the MEN. For Coldplay it was a return to the city which they were first discovered at the In The City event - for tonight’s support act, Richard Ashcroft it was a return to his spiritual home of the north west.

Back in the saddle after a layoff to recuperate from the critical mauling his previous album received. He played a smattering of new songs from the soon to be released ‘Keys to the World’. Which sound on first hearing is a step in the right direction – but still weighed down by platitudinous lyrics that to some ears seems mystical, but more often than not sounds trite. The day was saved though as the newer stuff began to plod on - with a selection of his greatest hits from his Verve days.

‘Square One’ started the proceedings again as it had at the summer gig at the Reebok Stadium – this was given a greater sense of occasion given the indoor setting with the clock backdrop showing a countdown to the bands introduction. In fact there were very few surprises and amendments to the set but what was apparent was the verve and vigour of the band despite being nearly the eightieth date of the tour.

The energy of front man Martin was there to see as he raced from the stage to the back row of the first tier of seating during ‘In my Place’. He managed to make it back in time for the next number and was even forgiven for fluffing the lines to ‘Fix You’ on his return.

Next year will see more touring and a number of festival dates. When a new album will surface is difficult to tell. But given the lofty status of the band and the material that they can now omit. The wait for new material could be a long one.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Echo and the Bunnymen

Liverpool Carling Academy, Saturday 17th December 2005

Set list: Going Up, Show of Strength, Stormy Weather, Bring on the Dancing Horses, Seven Seas, The Disease, Scissors in the Sand, All That Jazz, The Back of Love, The Killing Moon, In the Margins, Never Stop, Villiers Terrace, Of a Life, Rescue, The Cutter, Nothing Lasts Forever
Lips Like Sugar, Ocean Rain


It’s Christmas, time for the now traditional seasonal Bunnymen hometown gig. This year sees a second night added.

It has been a good year for Bunnymen fans – it was the year, which saw the release of ‘Siberia’ – an album that has been described as a return to form and one that certainly evokes memories of the past.

It may well have something to do with the fact that Hugh Jones who’d previously produced ‘Heaven Up Here’, back on production duties. The talk of a classic Bunnymen album is probably not that wide of the mark.

Numerous reviews have alluded to a return to form – though this is seemingly always the case with new Bunnymen releases. It certainly has its fair share of magical moments that will keep the diehards happy. It is an album that has been described by Ian McCulloch as coming in from the cold hence the title ‘Siberia’. It’s a position that normally fires the band to record their best work especially when they are written off. It’s an album that sees the main protagonists on top form.

The so-called return to form is also a good recipe for the live dates and tonight sees the Mac and Will certainly on top of their game. There is certainly no feeling of going through motions after last night’s home gig.

The set list has a familiar ring to it. Though it may be a tried a tested format it is invigorated by the inclusion of ‘Going Up’ to start the proceedings. There is also the inclusion of a number of new songs from ‘Siberia’ that are not out of place amongst the list of classic Bunnymen tunes.

The two singles ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘In the Margins’ plus ‘Scissors in the Sand’ are given an airing tonight. They are well received by the fans and certainly compliment the rest of the bands twenty-five year plus material.

Now with a collection of records going back over a quarter of a century there is always going to be the odd song omitted from the set list that disappoint the diehard. One song I was glad to see omitted was ‘Over Wall’ – my recently sprained ankle certainly would not have lasted another 8 minutes longer tonight – normally I would feel short-changed by its omission.

It was another cracking live experience to keep the home crowds happy for another year. Though on tonight’s form I think it would be advisable for the band to book a third night next year.