Spiritualized

After hearing the news that Jason Pierce had sacked half of his band for this tour I was interested to see the results. Pierce claimed it was to get back to a rawer sound. Or was it really to cut costs. I saw the gig in Sheffield last October and, though it was impressive, it didn't quite live up to my admittedly massive expectations.

However, I'm pleased to say that this performance did. I wasn't really in the mood for a gig beforehand due to lack of sleep, and I also wondered how the band would work in an odd venue like the Barbican where smoking and drinking during the performance is forbidden and you are ushered in at the start. More like a lecture than a gig. The band opened, as they did last year, with "Cop Shoot Cop" I wondered if I'd last out the show. Thank god I did.

It was easy to see the effect that trimming down the band to a 7 piece had. Whatever the reasons, Pierce made the right decision. It gave the songs more room to breathe, to make an impact, and to see what an amazing bunch of musicians are now in the band. The setlist, like the last tour, featured songs from all albums, with only four from "Let It Come Down", yet the setlist itself varied from last time. Also, the new light show is absolutely amazing, a real psychedelic experience, where one really can forget everything and become lost in the music. Which is what a Spiritualized gig should be about. The audience seemed to enjoy themselves too, not much dancing but lots of respectful nodding. Even Pierce seemed, for him anyway, rather animated, whooping a number of times.

Highlights? Where do I start? Hearing "Angel Sigh" live for the first time, versions of "I Think I'm In Love" and "Walking With Jesus" that actually better the ones on the live Royal Albert Hall album. "Broken Heart", which, as I expected, had me filling up. "Come Together" (as always), "Don't Just Do Something", despite the fact that Pierce forgot the words (His voice is much more powerful than people realise), "Lord Can You Hear Me" and a mindblowing "Take Me To The Other Side", which due to the startling lights and amazing sheer noise, actually sent me into a trance.

So at last I feel I've seen the real Spiritualized. heres hoping J. Spaceman doesn't take another four years to come up with an album that captures the magic of this performance. If he does, though, once again it will be well worth the wait!