Lucky enough to bear witness to the awesome coupling that was Primal Scream and MC5 at Royal Festival Hall in London last year, I was pleasantly surprised to find the 'Scream's set had improved dramatically. Tonight the band departed from their standard blues-rock set, instead delving further into the electronic-house side of the back catalogue.
Now I hate to sound like a grandma but opening act Wolf & Cub were just way too loud. For a band comprising two drummers, a bassist and only one guitarist, the deep end of their tones was mixed to an uncomfortable level, as bass notes went reverberating through my stomach and suffocated the more spacey, textured aspects of the band's sound. Wolf & Cub risk falling into line with your standard indie-rock bands, but ultimately their almost-jazzy psych-rock sound reveals something far more unique.
The night was of course about Primal Scream, who emerged looking absolutely dashing in colour-coordinated outfits and instruments. For me, Primal Scream are the one band who most successfully marry electronic/dance sounds with feisty rock'n'roll. You get outfits like the Chemical Brothers, who, while still awesome, have gone a step too far down the dance path for a lot of rock fans, then others like New Order whose pop/dance merger can sometimes get a little cheesy. Primal Scream however, are undoubtedly the most perfectly balanced dance-rock group I can think of, which is why it was so befitting of them to fill their set-list with tracks off XTRMNTR such as 'Kill All Hippies,' 'Swastika Eyes,' and the incredible 'Shoot Speed/Kill Light' (disappointing though, that nothing from Vanishing Point made the cut).
Mr Gillespie looked suitably bored - yet still utterly commanding - throughout, although he did show off some of his trademark moves during 'Movin' on Up' (I noticed him sneeze at one point so perhaps he was sick?). His nonchalance didn't matter too much, as the charismatic Mani spent much of the night monkeying around, and both guitarists displayed overstated rock moves several times.
After an evening of heavy electronics, smoke machines and trippy green laser lights, the band played an encore of songs such as 'Accelerator' and 'Country Girl', ending proceedings with a reminder that Primal Scream's roots are in rock'n'roll. With guitars roaring and Mani pressing his bass up against his amp sending out torrents of bass reverb, most were left with arms in the air and jaws on the floor.
Although it meant there was plenty of room to dance, it was sad to see the Forum only half to two-thirds full. I know plenty of people who love Primal Scream and yet hardly any of them came. Perhaps it's our floundering economy, or maybe the band just can't garner the same amount of hype as in yonder years. Tonight though, for those present Gillespie and co reminded us why Primal Scream are such a significant, standout band in music history, right up there with those they surely canonise themselves.
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