Venue:
Trinity, Bristol
Date: 06/04/2017
British Sea Power – indiest of Brit (make that English) indy bands have just started touring their rather fine new album “Let the Dancers Inherit the Party” and this was the first night – a triumphant return (album and gig). You get the big anthems (and the new album contains a couple of potential classics) with glorious riffs and choruses which will no doubt go down a storm at Glastonbury (Remember Me, No Lucifer, Waving Flags – ha!) but underneath that and at the same time there is a home-knitted, plaintive emotional quality that is magnified when they use brass (Machineries of Joy) – sadly only one cornet (?) tonight. And then there are the endearing eccentricities – Marsha the owl, the bears, the foliage – which lets you know you are in a someone’s fully formed world, some of which has yet to be explained. It was a great show – nearly 2 very hot hours and they even had special suits for the encore – you wait.
I’m not sure if BSP are going to get any bigger – and selfishly I’m not sure I want them to if I can still stand down the front and avoid the arm wavers. This is the same venue they played last time they were here a couple of years ago (and a mighty fine venue it is too with the exception of the lack of air con down the front) – they seem to be popular “Special Guest” of much shallower bands like Editors (I left after 4 songs) and coming up MSP (wild horses etc). Maybe that is as far as they want to go? Whatever, do go and see them if you get the chance – you will be a better person for it.
The audience:
Joyful and sweaty. Some of us still recovering from M*********z on Sunday night – Jeff was enthusing about Idles in Cardiff. Maybe it was just me, maybe its the band and the audience they attract, but everyone (at least down the front) seemed a bit friendlier, a bit chattier.And a bit happier.
It made me think..
Glad I’ve got the day off today. The owls are not what they seem. Help is on the way – you wait.
Glad you enjoyed them. Saw them in Birmingham 2 years ago and they were exceedingly dull with zero interaction with the crowd. Put me off seeing them again despite loving the albums,
plenty of interaction last night
Used to be a massive fan but then Valhalla Dancehall.
try the new one
yes, I like the new one a lot, and I’d drifted away after, ooooh, well probably their second album actually.
as ever you started before me, but I am where I y’am
ps anyone like my photo?
Beautiful. I especially like the owl.
Marsha? there’s a David Lynch connection lurking somewhere here…
Never seen B.S.P. live, I have all the albums, been a fan from the start. They are one of the few British bands of this century to endure, Big Big Train being the only other to come to mind. I don’t have the new album, yet, but soon will.
Can’t comment on your photo Anton, I’ve no idea what you look like.
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Oh, I think you mean the B.S.P. photo, yep it’s good. ; ))
Arf Arf! Thanks @Baron_Harkonnen – I was quite late to BSP – as with most things and only joined them after Valhalla which I agree with comment above is possibly their least memorable. As usual it was seeing them live that sets the seal on it. Never heard of/heard Big Train – another recommendation to follow up?
It’s Big Big Train @anton, they are what is described as a Prog band but don’t let that put you off. I can recommend with confidence ‘English Electric’, which is a combination of two of their albums and an E.P. If you don’t like it I’ll refund your money!
Thanks for the tip Baron – further investigation commences now.
PS – do you mean volume 1 or 2 – or both?
@ all bps fans
Oh dear. I only have Valhalla Dancefloor and think it’s, well, ok only. What else should I investigate?
I think I probably like the idea of BSP more than the reality.
@Freddy_Steady – Easy! Easy! (all together now) ….. try “Do You Like Rock Music” and “The Decline of British Sea Power” for anthems, and “Sea of Brass” and “Machineries pf Joy” for calmer moments – although in truth they all have elements of both.
The new album is tremendous – it’s very 80s in a Bunnymen, Psych Furs, House of Love kind of way, and none the worse for that. I’d have a listen to Open Season if you’re dipping into past works.