August 29, 2009:
How charming it was to call the Bridgewater Hall on Saturday afternoon to enquire as to whether they had a good seat remaining for Magazine's concert that evening, and just a few short hours later to be sitting in that wonderful auditorium listening to them play The Correct Use of Soap album in its entirety, and, following the interval, an avalanche of some of their greatest songs. And to think that I've now seen a band that hadn't performed live for over twenty years twice in the space of a year still astounds me.
The evening began in a typically brilliant arty Howard Devoto style with the band taking to the stage to a quite beautiful piece of classical music that I am, sadly, in the dark about. Devoto, looking, as ever, more like an alien visitor than a human being, then read a poem from a notebook that he'd written during the recording of The Correct Use of Soap, before the band launched into 'Because You're Frightened.' The sound was fantastic in the hall, and Devoto revealed to us that as the band had split just before the release of The Correct Use of Soap in 1980, they were making up for lost time and touring it now, almost thirty years later.
After the interval we were treated to some of Magazine's finest songs, including a sublime 'Parade,' which Devoto introduced as being inspired by the Erik Satie and Jean Cocteau surrealist play of the same name, and the gorgeous piano intro to the song could actually quite easily be an Erik Satie piece. And there was also the creepy and sinister 'Permafrost,' which took on an unlikely poignant air with Devoto saying that the song had now become a song about the environment, and with his subtle lyric change of ,"I want to drug you & fuck you, on the remains of the permafrost," added pathos to what is already an emotion-charged song. The closing 'The Light Pours Out of Me' was absolutely incredible, and to these ears sounded not unlike the Manics' 'Peeled Apples,' with both songs having enormous power.
Aside from the performance itself, there were a few other parts of the evening which shall live long in the memory. One was the sight of aged 50-something former punks po-going down the aisles and in front of the stage during 'The Light Pours Out of Me' to the obvious bemusement of the Bridgewater Hall staff, and another was when I heard a group of people discussing Dostoevsky in the bar area before the show. I was itching to join in the conversation but, for once, I decided to just listen and contented myself with earwigging quite outrageously to what was being said. I have to admit that I did meditate on the fact that there are probably very few concerts where the lyrics on a poster by the band would lead to a discussion about a writer such as Dostoevsky. Yet another reason to be in love with Magazine, I guess. I was fortunate enough to share a few words with the music critic, John Robb, who was also in attendance, looking unmistakable with his distinctive hair and husky voice and laugh. Another incident which brought a smile to my face was after the opening song when Devoto declared, "Yes, the show's begun, so please ensure all your recording equipment is set to the correct levels!" A wonderful thing to say in a time when, as we are so often told, everything, especially, God forbid, recording, is forbidden.
All in all then, an absolutely splendid evening. Rumour has it that the band, buoyed by the considerable success they've had since reforming, are also seriously considering writing new material and going into the studio again. I think this would be fantastic so, obviously, fingers crossed!
Magazine - 'A Song From Under the Floorboards' - Bridgewater Hall
How charming it was to call the Bridgewater Hall on Saturday afternoon to enquire as to whether they had a good seat remaining for Magazine's concert that evening, and just a few short hours later to be sitting in that wonderful auditorium listening to them play The Correct Use of Soap album in its entirety, and, following the interval, an avalanche of some of their greatest songs. And to think that I've now seen a band that hadn't performed live for over twenty years twice in the space of a year still astounds me.
The evening began in a typically brilliant arty Howard Devoto style with the band taking to the stage to a quite beautiful piece of classical music that I am, sadly, in the dark about. Devoto, looking, as ever, more like an alien visitor than a human being, then read a poem from a notebook that he'd written during the recording of The Correct Use of Soap, before the band launched into 'Because You're Frightened.' The sound was fantastic in the hall, and Devoto revealed to us that as the band had split just before the release of The Correct Use of Soap in 1980, they were making up for lost time and touring it now, almost thirty years later.
There were many highlights to this first set, but my favourites were 'You Never Knew Me', 'Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again,' and a quite stunning 'A Song From Under the Floorboards,' which Devoto introduced as being a song about the failure of a person's coping strategy in life. A hugely unexpected but highly welcome bonus was the appearance of Ipso Facto singer Rosalie Cunningham on backing vocals, and she brought added gothic glamour to the proceedings & her crystal voice complemented Devoto's sardonic sneer perfectly.
After the interval we were treated to some of Magazine's finest songs, including a sublime 'Parade,' which Devoto introduced as being inspired by the Erik Satie and Jean Cocteau surrealist play of the same name, and the gorgeous piano intro to the song could actually quite easily be an Erik Satie piece. And there was also the creepy and sinister 'Permafrost,' which took on an unlikely poignant air with Devoto saying that the song had now become a song about the environment, and with his subtle lyric change of ,"I want to drug you & fuck you, on the remains of the permafrost," added pathos to what is already an emotion-charged song. The closing 'The Light Pours Out of Me' was absolutely incredible, and to these ears sounded not unlike the Manics' 'Peeled Apples,' with both songs having enormous power.
Aside from the performance itself, there were a few other parts of the evening which shall live long in the memory. One was the sight of aged 50-something former punks po-going down the aisles and in front of the stage during 'The Light Pours Out of Me' to the obvious bemusement of the Bridgewater Hall staff, and another was when I heard a group of people discussing Dostoevsky in the bar area before the show. I was itching to join in the conversation but, for once, I decided to just listen and contented myself with earwigging quite outrageously to what was being said. I have to admit that I did meditate on the fact that there are probably very few concerts where the lyrics on a poster by the band would lead to a discussion about a writer such as Dostoevsky. Yet another reason to be in love with Magazine, I guess. I was fortunate enough to share a few words with the music critic, John Robb, who was also in attendance, looking unmistakable with his distinctive hair and husky voice and laugh. Another incident which brought a smile to my face was after the opening song when Devoto declared, "Yes, the show's begun, so please ensure all your recording equipment is set to the correct levels!" A wonderful thing to say in a time when, as we are so often told, everything, especially, God forbid, recording, is forbidden.
All in all then, an absolutely splendid evening. Rumour has it that the band, buoyed by the considerable success they've had since reforming, are also seriously considering writing new material and going into the studio again. I think this would be fantastic so, obviously, fingers crossed!
Magazine - 'A Song From Under the Floorboards' - Bridgewater Hall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-8nsY8OmLE
Magazine - 'Permafrost,' and 'The Light Pours Out of Me' - Bridgewater Hall
Magazine - 'Permafrost,' and 'The Light Pours Out of Me' - Bridgewater Hall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9cVdudh_hQ
Magazine (with Rosalie Cunningham) - 'Sweetheart Contract' - Bridgewater Hall
Magazine (with Rosalie Cunningham) - 'Sweetheart Contract' - Bridgewater Hall
No comments:
Post a Comment