Music
The Psychedelic Furs
O2 ABC, Glasgow
Jonathan Geddes
three stars
THERE were moments watching this Psychedelic Furs set where you wondered if mixing saxophones and rock music was ever actually a good idea. This was a very two-sided performance, both in terms of quality and in material, a singles run-through covering both the aggressive post-punk of their early days and their smoother, more chart-friendly period.
At least Richard Butler was consistent. The frontman’s voice still has a solemnity that could infuse anything with dramatic seriousness, and he moved across the stage with a flamboyant, charismatic gait, even while wearing shades and what looked like pyjamas. The rest of the band were quick to move around too, however a lack of chat or real interaction created a somewhat methodical feeling.
That vibe wasn’t helped during a first half that was stodgy, despite Pretty In Pink being dropped in early. There was the odd snappy flourish like We Love You or Run and Run, but although Mars Williams, a fixture in the band since the early 80s, is an excellent saxophonist, his contributions tended to smother the overall sound. Death by sax overdose was a recurring issue, overpowering the likes of Danger, while a bland Until She Comes and Heartbreak Beat’s dated pop seemed screamingly of their time.
Yet some of the band’s material has held up, from all facets of their career. There was a welcome pop strut to Heartbeat and Williams successfully cut loose on Don’t Be A Girl, before an encore belted through the moodily atmospheric Sister Europe, a more prescient than ever President Gas, complete with Butler throwing some unsubtle Nazi salutes, and a messy, ferocious India. A shame the entire night hadn’t possessed such verve.
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