The Brook, Southampton
It’s Friday night at The Brook and 4 years after they last graced this stage it’s a welcome return for Manchester’s finest the Buzzcocks.
Support tonight comes from the always impressive Night of Treason. They climb onstage with little fuss and do what they do best-a clutch of great tunes. They open with the amusing singalong of “Can’t Remember”. Pinky (vox) is resplendant in his attire and has a stage prescence to match. (What Became of the) “Boys Brigade” follows as he uses more of the stage. “Teddy Boy” is a highlight while “On Clockwork Orange Street” is one for the Rude Boys! “If You Wannit” is a “terrace chant” Punk classic and this crowd duly singalong.
Pinky takes a minute to promote the LP then reminds us they play “for nothing”, and asks us to buy the album! “Speed and Glue” is another Punk classic-this band firmly wear their influences on their sleeves, and why not! The obligatory “cock-up” on “Gentlemen and Hooligans” ensues, but no-one noticed (honest)! “This Is My Town” comes next and Pinky reminds us to be proud of our towns. They end on the Billy Bragg-esque “Young Conservatives” which is excellent and Pinky does the promo once more.
The Buzzcocks take to the stage and open with “Boredom” which is anything but.”Fast Cars” follows which is great although Pete’s voice seems a little strained early on. Diggle to his right is in fine form as he uses every inch of the stage to cavort and pull shapes all night long. It’s not long before this crowd get involved-an ageing moshpit ensues! “Autonomy” is an early highlight while Pete (Shelley) starts to find his range with “Get On Your Own”. Steve (Diggle) is all over the stage now as he once more takes centre stage. He delivers a harsh vocal on “Girl From The Chainstore” but the band really hit a highpoint on the quite excellent “Fiction Romance”. “Pulsebeat” is lengthy and the band as one have a “right good jam” midset-I swear it lasts almost 10 minutes! Danny (drums) gives us the big solo while Chris (bass) looks on nonchalently!
We catch our breath as the band once more trawl the back catalogue with live favourite and singalongs “Noise Annoys” and “Breakdown”. The pit gets bigger all of a sudden as they play the more popular numbers. “Promises” follows before the chart friendly “Love You More” which are well received. They finish on a high with another live favourite “What Do I Get” and leave to great applause. They’re not away long and return with a rabble rousing “Harmony in My Head” before a euphoric “Ever Fallen In Love” which invokes a frenzy down the front! ‘Orgasm Addict’ follows before they end with “Oh Shit” which this show isn’t! Buzzcocks are and remain a great live act and on this evidence I’m sure will be back again soon.
Setlists
Buzzcocks
Boredom
Fast Cars
I Don’t Mind
Autonomy
Get On Your Own
Whatever Happened To?
When Love Turns Around…
Girl From The Chainstore
Sick City
Fiction Romance
Pulsebeat
Nothing Left
Noise Annoys
Breakdown
You Say You Don’t Love Me
Promises
Love You More
What Do I Get
Harmony In My Head
Ever Fallen In Love…
Orgasm Addict
Oh Shit
Night of Treason
Can’t Remember
(What Became of the) Boys Brigade
Teddy Boy
On Clockwork Orange Street
If You Wannit
Letter From The Front
Speed and Glue
Gentlemen and Hooligans
My Town
Forton Road
Young Conservatives
Video
Band Links
http://www.facebook.com/nightoftreason
http://www.buzzcocks.com
Review & Pictures by Ross A. Ferrone.
