A week may be a long time in politics, but a year seems like a lifetime as a music fan, especially during the bonkers year that 2016 has been. This time last year, us 40 somethings were excitedly anticipating the promised new music and live dates that the recently “reformed” Lush were promising, and here we are now facing into Lush’s last ever gig.
After tragedy split the band first time around, this time it appears that the leaving of original bass player Phil King has something to do with the decision, although he is not named in the bland statement on the band’s website, instead citing the need to return to their families. I suppose we all move on, and with just the 2 girls remaining from the original 4 piece, it was no longer Lush up there on stage.
The biggest disappointment ironically, is the fact that they still sound fantastic ; like 25 years have never happened. Miki’s voice is as haunting as ever, Emma is as stoic as she ever was, and the swirling etherial sound they make feels as relevant today as it did in the 90s.
I’m guessing there wasn’t anyone present tonight who didn’t already know and love the band, and despite the disappointing turn out, the crowd were determined to have a good time and dozens of camera phones were at the ready to record a slice of history.
Undertow and De-Luxe kicked us off and we were already in familiar territory. Never a particularly demonstrative band, the between song chat was sparse yet warm and on occasion funny - Miki informs her daughter was at Brixton Academy watching Savages....”that’s f...... loyalty for you”
The gorgeous Out of Control from this year’s Blind Spot EP was surrounded with familiar favourites Thoughtforms, Etheriel, Undertow, Scarlet, and still one of my favourites songs of all time Sweetness & Light which closed the main set. Slightly moist eyed at the end of that one.
Unusually nowadays, 2 encore slots closed the night, with the sublime Monochrome completing the night. And that was that. The band exited stage left without much ceremony, seemingly emotionless and possibly relieved ?
I guess as time passes, we’ll all feel a greater sense of the occasion, but at the moment the overall emotion is disappointment. With the band for lasting only a year back together, with only giving us 4 news songs in that time, and for raising our expectations during a shitty year for music fans. Ultimately however, we must be grateful for one last chance to see this fantastic band and for turning the clock back 30 years, if only for 1 last night.
Keith
@kjsmith4082
