OK. Suede are back. relax. They're still great. A pre show video screen shows footage from the gigs of their past. The Camden Roundhouse. Reading 1997. Interviews in Asia. Brett musing on an album of cover versions.

As the film star show ends, a traditional, well-worn copy of the Sex Pistols "Bollocks" album comes floating over the PA. It's traditionally a Suede gig now. I've heard this album more time at Suede gigs than I have at home

To the strains of some mellow piece, five men walk on the stage. Weirdly, the audience aren't as keen as at a traditional show. Probably all this new stuff to get to grips with. But Suede still burn. "Can't Get Enough" is first. A distant cousin of "She", all choppy guitar riffs, whoo-ooh vocals, and bizarre lyrics. A single - no question.

"Savoir Faire" is next. A mellow song about pretty feet and flowers in your hair. Lots of nice eye contact between the band. Simon grins stupidly at Brett. Richard grimaces playfully as he squeezes out yet another note from behind his fringe. It's a love song. But not the Suede as we know them... yet.

"Electricity" we all know. It's bigger than the universe. For the first time a sizable jumping crowd appears.

"Everything Will Flow" glides across. Given the plethora of new stuff, it's hard to pck and choose any immediate favourites. They all sound like singles to me.

"Indian Strings" I can't give anyone a reference point for this. It's like nothing you've ever heard before. Think of a gentle, Indian melody line, treated to the best Suede makeover ever. A cracker.

"The Sound Of The Streets" and the fabulous "Together" cause a flurry of activity as ever, because these are songs we've heard before. Lots. "Together" still sounds great, like a lost nugget, a single that never was. Brett throws tambourines, water bottles, lighted cigarettes out at the crowd, and teasingly runs his fingers across the outstretched hands of the crowd.

"He's Gone" sounds great. A lament to a long lost love. Huge and tiny at the same time. "Elephant Man" is a simple, spiky fumble, lots of lyrics about "Rock-N-Roll coming to town" (sounding a bit Kiss) spotwelded to an unforgettable melody. Catchier than herpes.

"Starcrazy", as we know, is a lightweight piece of likeable fluff. "Europe Is Our Playground" shimmers, as Richard pulls out the stealthiest sounding guitar line I've ever heard and 1930's Europe is evoked into the collective consciousness. Most people just stand around, absorbing through osmosis the newer staff we are treated to.

"Crack..." is weird though. Just Brett and a guitar and Neil. A song about either sniffing lines from a flag or the regal rear end (or something else?), and Brett at his most obviously political, addressing a previously shadowy concern over the fate of a piece of rock stuck in the water. Before starting the song though, the shy tart Anderson says "I can play an F, a D, and a G". (Doesn't mention an E though).

We had to leave to get home before 4am, so we missed "She, but I'm sure it was a stunner. Now for more... much more... from the head boys.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment 1.0 beta 2!