Music > Live Reviews

The Stranglers

The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA

20/03/18

This was a rare example of a gig where I was just as keen on seeing the support band as I was the main act. In this case having Therapy? as tour support was a masterstroke, albeit one with a degree of risk attached because having seen them a couple of times I knew what a brilliant live band they are. Over the course of a satisfying 45 minute slot they proved once again that they are a live act of the highest calibre, peppering their 13 song set with no less than 6 songs from the all-time classic Troublegum album. Andy Cairns was funny and energetic, Michael McKeegan beamed with glee throughout and drummer Neil Cooper did exactly what Andy asked us to shout at him –  he drummed like a motherfucker. Alongside the Troublegum classics hearing Teethgrinder & Potato Junkie, complete with I Wanna Be Your Dog insert, were also highlights. There were definitely a few hardcore fans dotted around the LCR, and although most just stood and watched I loved seeing them in the same venue I first saw them in way back in 1994.

I’ve only seen The Stranglers once before, in 2011, and whilst I enjoyed them it’s not a gig that has particularly stuck in my mind, certainly when comparing them to other graduates of the class of ’76. This time around what immediately struck me was the scale of the show – the screens, visuals and brilliant lights lifted the whole night for me and really made it feel like I was seeing a big band. There was a riser at the back of the stage atop which were perched touring drummer Jim MacAulay and keyboard maestro Dave Greenfield. MacAulay has now replaced original drummer Jet Black, who although still an official member of the band no longer tours with them, and his (relatively) youthful energy was key to making the show so good I think. The set was a beast – 24 songs over 1 hour & 45 minutes with only a handful of songs that didn’t really work, including it has to be said Golden Brown which for me just doesn’t translate well to a live setting.

Regardless of how long he has been out of the group Hugh Cornwell will always remain the voice I most associate with the Stranglers, despite the fact Baz Warne has now been in the band for 18 years, including 12 years as main vocalist. I actually thought Baz did a really good job, his voice sounding strong and his guitar playing exemplary. He is the Brian Johnson to Cornwell’s Bon Scott I suppose you could say. There was some debate about the keyboard sound Greenfield chose on some songs, with some saying his keys sounded out of tune. I’m going to say at this stage in his career Dave’s keyboards sounded exactly as he wanted them to and it was a joy to watch and hear him play, after all it is the band’s use of keyboards that has always made them stand out from the pack. Knocking back your drink whilst playing one handed only served to further endear him to me.

I loved songs I knew less well like Norfolk Coast or Bear Cage, but it was the classics I came for and it was a buzz watching actual Jean-Jacques Burnel laying down the bass groove to Peaches and getting to hear songs of the class of Hanging Around, Something Better Change, Tank & No More Heroes.

Some of my group were not as impressed as I was, including one who first saw them in 1978, and I can’t pretend that the crowd hadn’t noticeably thinned before the end of the show, but from the perspective of a more casual fan I have to say the Stranglers far exceeded my expectations and I’m certain this performance will live longer in my memory than the 2011 one.