Brixton Academy, Nov 13th 2003
Set List: Six Barrel Shotgun, US Government, Spread Your Love, Fail-Safe, Stop, Love Burns, White Palms, Rise or Fall, We’re All in Love, New Song, In Like the Rose, Awake, Whatever Happened to My Rock and Roll (Punk Song), Shade of Blue, Going Under, Suddenly, Red Eyes and Tears, Salvation, Heart and Soul
Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club glide onto the stage at Brixton Academy like three menacing black shadows. Brooding and dark in their traditional black leather they look like they mean business.
With no smiles, and very few mumbled words they immediately launch into a set which was pure rock and roll.
Love Burns, Spread your Love and an extended version of Red Eyes and Tears had the crowd in a wild whipped up frenzy of exhilaration, while the trio didn’t even bat an eyelid. Whatever Happened to My Rock and Roll was the more energetic of the set, making the whole place explode into life, yet still the band carried on with effortless cool, they make it seem like they’ve been doing this forever.
I found it surprising to see that Peter Hayes and Robert Turner share vocal, bass and guitar responsibilities, they changed around to start every new song.
The band provided a mesmerising performance which contained something that other bands just don’t have. They seem to believe in what they are doing, as they played they gaze off into space, lost in their own musical brilliance.
They end with a euphoric and fierce Heart and Soul, when they finished they glided back off the stage waving to the crowd and then they were gone.
Jenny Tudor.
Link: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Live Review August 2003.
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