Twenty three years since their formation, Echo And The Bunnymen, the grandads of grandeur, are once again criss-crossing the nation. This time out, they're promoting 'Flowers', their eighth studio album. Of course, due to the tragic death of original drummer Pete De Freitas and the departure in 1999 of bass ace Les Patterson, only vocalist mighty mouth McCulloch, and guitar virtuoso Will Sergeant remain from the combo's classic, post drum machine, line-up.
Remarkably, despite recently notching a 42nd year, the return of the Mac still finds him every inch the King of cool. His child bearing lips, trademark best-barnet-in-rock, regulation ciggie and Lou Reed shades are all present and correct.
The infamous mac (Mac's mac) is presumably at the dry cleaners and tonight replaced by a track-suit top. Also sadly missing, is Ian's legendary Lennon-esque line in Scouse sarcasm. Not that he's been ordained as a Trappist monk, it's just that a combination of ale-fuelled gibberish and dodgy PA render the pithy witticisms and Elvis impressions all but indecipherable. Thankfully, when it comes to singing, his master's voice is in fine fettle, that thrilling croon a sonorous baritone, like Sinatra on acid.
Throughout, Will, the shyest man in rock, is hunched over his guitar, teasing transcendent guitar shimmers. If the previous, richly reflective LP, 'What Are You Going To Do With Your Life' was audibly Mac's project, the guitar-guzzling 'Flowers' is very much Sargeant's baby, marking a return to pre-'Ocean Rain' guitar dynamics. Typically perverse, the furry ones choose to all but ignore it. Though judging by the shrugged indifference and audible hum of chatter that greets the likes of 'King Of Kings', 'SuperMellowMan' and 'Hide And Seek' it's a good call.
Let's face it, the majority of the crowd are here to bask in the glory that is the Bunnies' back catalogue. Thankfully, the set is ingeniously paced so that for every unfamiliar newie there's two or three Bunnymen classics. Oh and what songs! 'Rescue', a combustible 'Back Of Love', 'Killing Moon', 'Over The Wall', 'Seven Seas', 'Silver', 'The Cutter', 'Ocean Rain', 'Villiers Terrace'. The fact that a 20-plus set fails to include bona fide gems such as 'Never Stop', 'Crocodiles', 'Bedbugs And Ballyhoo' and 'All My Colours' merely emphasises the abundance of riches at the band's fingertips. T-t-t-t-tips.
For one stiflingly hot night the Bunnymen are once more the greatest band in the world.
