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Tonight is another great present from XFM radio (104.9 fm) to music fans. To be invited to see seminal rockers Primal Scream in a small, intimate setting is a privilege I am aware of, as well as everybody else around me.
As we are outside the venue, queuing up to be let in for what should be a memorable evening, the excitement is notable among the small crowd and many people are on their mobile phone bragging to absent friends.
Indispensable listening since the release of their first album ‘Sonic Flower Groove’ in 1987, Primal Scream made a particular impact on the music scene with 1991 Lp ‘Screamadelica’ and are still kicking ass in 2006 having just unleashed ‘Riot City Blues’ on the world.
Not touring the country before November this is an ‘exclusive live appearance’ and the band takes to the stage, bijou by their standard, with the usual two female backing singers in tow, to screams of delight.
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They open with ‘Movin’on Up’ and remind you why they have been such a quintessential band for almost twenty years.
Rather sullen frontman Bobbie Gillespie sports a well-worn MC5 T-shirt and barely addresses the crowd contrasting with a smiling Mani, legendary bass player.
Over the next hour and a half we are treated to a healthy mix of old and new. Classic songs, past and future.
We get well acquainted with recently released 9th studio album ‘Riot City Blues’ with numbers like ‘Dolls’, ‘Nitty Gritty’, ‘Suicide Sally & Johnny Guitar’, ‘When The Bomb Drops’ and first single ‘Country Girl’.
But you can’t ignore the crowd’s appreciation when they rock the place to ‘Jailbird’, ‘Kill All Hippies’, ‘Kowalski’, ‘Swastika Eyes’ and closing track ‘Rocks’.
So many anthems and yet so many more unplayed tonight.
As I am standing here in the heat staring at the stage and being transported back and forth in time, I acknowledge that Primal Scream are the soundtrack of my life and a few other million people’s, yet they shouldn’t be taken for granted as this level of musical acumen is unfortunately rare nowadays.
As they leave the stage once and for all after one encore I realise that I need to be back for more next time they’re in London.
Words: Florence ACHERYPictures (Paris, 22.06.2006): Leo POLI
www.primalscream.net
www.primalscream.org
www.myspace.com/weareprimalscream
www.www.xfm.co.uk
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Primal Scream
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