Primal Scream @ Rock City

Steadily rolling off the back of their first LP in eight years, Primal Scream are back to prove their soul- soaked grooves remain as untarnished as ever. On 12th April, they set down in Nottingham to continue their crusade. Alice Beard reviews.

Primal Scream bring an unashamed, unapologetic fusion of rock ‘n’ roll, slick funk, acid house and all things in between. In 1991 they managed to capture the essence of some otherworldly swagger in their formidable Screamadelica. Now with their twelfth album Come Ahead, there’s a feeling of reassuring certitude and celebration. Surviving the highs and lulls of an intangible career, Bobby Gillespie is still kicking it- and ready to prove he’s got more than a few good fights left in him.  

Wrestling for the top spot in showmanship, Baxter Dury offered himself up for a rowdy support slot to show us exactly how it’s done. Ever the performer, Dury slunk onstage with his usual peacock swagger to get the night started in full swing. Launching straight into Leak at the Disco, there was no waiting around. Rousing jitters and jeers from the crowd, Dury danced about the stage unafraid of the golden ray of light which rested upon his head. Slipping through his setlist from Pleasure to Palm Trees to Almond Milk, one could hardly deny he’s got the kind of personality and talent for attention that must simply be admired from afar- attempts to replicate would only fall flat on their face. He’s a charmer through and through. From the keep- it- cool moments of I’m Not Your Dog to hardest hitters such as Allbarone, he glimmered with unrivalled charm and dazzling charisma. It was the kind of show that creates appreciation, it doesn’t beg for it– but I digress, this wasn’t even the main event.

Emerging from the shadows draped in a sharp, white suit, Gillespie took the helm immediately. Ready to share their immeasurable riches, the band hurtled into a burning insurrection in the form of Don’t Fight It, Feel It. Channelling the very finest of their essence, it was as good an introduction as any.

Marching forth to the present came the very best of their latest, tracks like Innocent Money and Love Insurrection bringing newfound confidence with their steady stride towards a more soulful approach. Within their carefully balanced set, there was ample room for both hedonistic indulgence and introspection of equal measure. Deep Dark Waters led us by the hand into darkness and exploitation, Gillespie’s pungent lyricism begging for their message to be heard loud and clear. These heavy cuts served as reminders of the band’s talent for reconfiguration and progression into unknown territories.

On the flip side, they proved able to switch their energies straight back up to full vigour in an instant. Tracks such as Ready to Go Home brought disco- funk inflections to an already vibrant collation of tracks from their back catalogue. The entire evening was crafted to perfection, the weaving of old and new bringing together their years of passion and love into a neat, delicately wound bundle.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t until Primal Scream rang out the opening lines of Loaded that the set reached the lofty heights which had been teased all evening. Bringing relentless groove and charm, this track provided the warmth to finally bring the audience above boiling point. From this point onwards, the room was under Gillespie’s control and his control only.

With their final battle charges of Movin’ On Up, Come Together and Rocks, all which had come previously was blown out of the water. This dig for victory brought sprawling displays of unremitting adulation from the crowd. There was no escape from the joyous heat rising from below.

Through their enigmatic union of nostalgia and jubilation, Primal Scream proved they truly still have got it all. I take my hat off to them.

Alice Beard

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Edited by Alice Beard

Image courtesy of Douglas Irvine, Videos courtesy of Baxter Dury and Primal Scream on YouTube