Well I've completed the triptych of my favorite artists gigs, all within 12 months! I saw Suede tonight. They co-headlined with Manic Street Preachers who played first. I have to say the Manics were pretty average. On the tour they've been alternating who goes first I really can't imagine what the nights where the Manics closed were like.
Suede came out and electrified the crowd from the get go. With a couple of new songs to start, showing bravery and conviction that I love. Frontman Brett sings and throws himself around the stage like a man wildly possessed. By song 3 he is physically down off the stage and in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by them and moshing along. The stage crew have to lunge forward each time to keep the mic safe and extricate him. At one point he strayed waaaaay far in, about 15 rows back from the stage.
They covered a lot of territory in the gig. Although I realized after that they've been varying the set a lot - thanks to OneForTheVine will be checking out recordings of other shows *especially* LA!! - and we didn't get the songs I'd have particularly loved from other nights (Killing of a Flash Boy, 2 of Us and That Boy On The Stage). But he did an acoustic Living Dead, and I was glad to see Head Music get some love with Can't Get Enough.
However, he announced before the last song that this was their last gig ever in the US 😞. This made for a very poignant end. I hope they'll return but suspect not.
Anyway, truly phenomenal energy and charisma. They are a great, great band to see.
Edit: I thought I was hallucinating while walking into the theatre. There was Simon Gilbert, the drummer, standing and chatting casually with some fans by the door. So cool.
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You summarized the show very well - Brett acted just as madly/enthusiastically in Philadelphia; I suspect he does this at every show. It’s probably something beyond his complete control. 😄
That was what really impressed me about the show, i.e., he and the rest of the band were as tight and energetic as they were 30 years ago. He sang as if it were still the 90s! So much power!
I can tell you when the show really lifted off was when you heard the Oakes rip into the opening chords of “Animal Nitrate” - good lord! The show was excellent before then; however, once that guitar opening was played, it was a full-blown out-of control madhouse in the venue! I felt like I was in a good old-fashioned 90s mosh pit - the energy in the crowd (and on stage) was just that high! The other time it seemed like the crowd was in full pandemonium was when they launched into “My Insatiable One” - I didn’t even know they had even considered playing that song. The whole crowd belted out every word, with many (including me) pointing at Brett during every line. It was deafening loud during that song, mostly from the crowd. Our acoustic song was “The Wild Ones”, which was great because it’s one of my favorite songs of theirs, and he performed it on the part of the stage that was right in front of me. Just wonderful…
I’m going to hope that the “ever” in Brett’s quote was a mistake (meaning instead that it was the last American show for this tour - the last show overall being in Toronto), or that you misheard him. 😄 I don’t know how the band could have it proven to them so blatantly that they have a devoted American fan base that wants to see them and acts as enthusiastically as any crowd as they get anywhere. Still, in today’s world, I guess you can’t take any act’s choice to tour for granted. If the worst case scenario proves to be true, I have actually (and finally) seen them, and the show I saw was simply awe-inspiring.
I’m with you about the Manics. They were good, but they didn’t do a lot for me personally. I’m very glad Suede closed both of our shows; I wouldn’t have stayed for the whole Manics’ set had the order of appearance been reversed. Having said that, they did play both songs I knew and liked by them, and they did a great cover of The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary”. Those were worth hearing.
I also agree about “Can’t Get Enough” and the “Head Music” album in general. For me, “Head Music” was their 4th great album in a row, and the last of their original classics. Since they’ve reformed, I really liked “Bloodsports” and I really like the new album “Autofiction” too. The two in between (“Night Thoughts” and “The Blue Hour”) weren’t really my cup of tea, although the latter was better. I hope they keep going - the new album and this tour prove that they still have what it takes to remain an active band.
AND, I also saw Simon Gilbert outside The Met in Philly! 😄 I wonder if this is a thing he does regularly, i.e., goes outside of the venue to chill with the fans for a few minutes. I was too shy to go up to him, but I did get a picture of him. Just a spectacular evening from start to finish. 😎
Yes, I will also look for a recording of the LA show - that show just had a dream setlist. However, the show I saw definitely scratched my “Suede itch”, to coin a new phrase! 😄 I hope they come back again; if they do, I’ll be ready! 😎
