Suede - O2 Academy, Thursday 24th October

Britpop architects Suede wow a capacity 02 Academy crowd and its clear as ever that in 45 year old frontman Brett Anderson they have one of popular music’s greatest ever performers.  It’s not difficult to see how the London quintet has retained their appeal despite a ten year hiatus.  This years comeback album ‘Bloodsports’ is amongst their best work and a return to the bombastic, grandiose anthems that soundtracked the last major domestic rock renaissance back in the mid-90’s.  Add to the mix the tightest of live reputations and an enigmatic lead singer oozing an intoxicating Bowie-esque cocktail of cool and sex appeal that would leave most bands green with envy and there’s no doubting, that even now, when Suede come to your town, you’re going to experience a real event.

And they’ve picked a cracker of a setlist satisfying die-hards and newbies mixing up rare b-sides, early album tracks and greatest hits amongst much of the latest release.  Anderson enters the stage behind his bandmates dressed in a skin-tight smart white shirt, energetic from the outset, hopping on and off a wooden box to address the baying audience.  The concern he shows towards a faulty electric fan on stage shows the intention to pour out every possible ounce of effort and passion into their opening date of the tour.  ‘Barriers’ is already a firm crowd favourite with the familiar sharp sneering vocals and euphoric guitar hooks meeting a light smattering of drums, Anderson with arms outstretched, back arched demanding engagement.  

Anderson hurtles about the stage with more energy than pretenders half his age; it’s obvious he’s really missed being on stage.  His largely unremarkable project with The Tears alongside maverick ex-guitarist Bernard Butler was short-lived and the chance to reconnect with his adoring fans has proven irresistible.  ‘Snowblind’ sounds like Hole with Richard Oakes’ squally guitars as Anderson maintains a pitch perfect delivery despite being engulfed by the crowd on one of many trips away from the stage.  When they come to play ‘Trash’ the whole floor is pogo-ing like it’s 1996 again, they just don’t make anthems like that anymore says the guy next to me; he has a point.  ‘Sabotage’ begins menacingly with a throbbing bassline before Oakes lets rip on an Edge style guitar riff and Anderson, on his knees and with arm aloft, makes it soar. 

Arms are waving in unison for sassy classic ‘The Drowners’ before underrated B-side ‘Killing Of A Flashboy.’  A change of pace next with a mesmerizing delivery of ‘The Two Of Us’ rich in alt-romantic Smiths; “Two silhouettes by the cash machine make a lovers dance.”  New single ‘For The Strangers’ is pure class; melodic chimes from Oakes’ Gibson and rasping effortless vocals from Anderson.  Showing no sign of fatigue they power through ‘So Young’ finishing on lyrical masterpiece/sarcastic ode to the shallow; ‘Beautiful Ones’ which invokes another enthusiastic singalong.  In a live arena they’ve never left anything in the tank and tonight is without doubt a triumphant return for a band with renewed focus and a fanbase who have clearly fallen back in love with them.

Kindly published by Venue:
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-s/21276-suede

Best track: Click on link below
Suede - 'Trash'

Setlist:

1. Pantomime Horse 
2. Barriers 
3. Snowblind 
4. It Starts and Ends With You 
5. Filmstar 
6. Trash 
7. Animal Nitrate 
8. Heroine 
9. Sometimes I Feel I’ll Float Away 
10. Sabotage 
11. The Drowners 
12. Killing of a Flashboy 
13. The 2 of Us 
14. The Big Time 
15. For the Strangers 
16. So Young 
17. Metal Mickey 
18. Beautiful Ones 
19. New Generation 

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