By the time this concert came around, I had already seen them several times over the years. My first encounter was during the Give Out But Don’t Give Up era at Ayr Pavilion, while another unforgettable night came at the Barrowland during the XTRMNTR tour when Mani was on bass and Kevin Shields was on guitar. To this day, that remains one of the best gigs I have ever attended. It was loud, intense and completely exhilarating — exactly what a Primal Scream concert should be.
Returning to the Barrowland for this show felt a little like catching up with an old friend. The venue and the band have a history together, and there’s something fitting about seeing one of Scotland’s most important bands perform in one of Scotland’s most iconic venues. This wasn’t tied to a specific album. Instead, it was essentially a greatest hits set, drawing from a catalogue that has constantly reinvented itself over the decades, from indie rock and psychedelia through to dance music, gospel influences and back again.
Before the main event, the audience were treated to a set from The Illicits. Support bands often have the difficult task of warming up a crowd eager for the headliner, but they did a great job and more than justified their place on the bill. It’s always nice when a support act leaves you wanting to hear more.
One of the things I enjoy most about taking Emma to concerts is introducing her to artists she might not otherwise have seen. In this case, her mum was probably more familiar with Primal Scream than Emma was when we arrived. By the end of the evening, however, I think she’d been won over. That’s one of the advantages of a greatest hits set. Even if you’re not deeply familiar with a band’s catalogue, the songs have a way of introducing themselves.
Looking back, what impressed me most was how effortlessly Primal Scream moved through different periods of their career. Few bands have changed direction as often or as successfully. Whether it’s the euphoric energy of Loaded, the rock and roll swagger of Rocks or the darker intensity of the XTRMNTR material, they’ve always managed to sound unmistakably like themselves.
This may not have surpassed that legendary XTRMNTR Barrowland gig in my personal rankings, but that’s setting an impossibly high bar. What it did provide was a reminder of why Primal Scream have remained such an important band for so long. Great songs, a great venue and a great crowd. Sometimes that’s all you need.
The videos and photographs below capture another memorable night with one of Scotland’s finest bands. And if Emma wasn’t already a fan when she walked through the doors, she probably was by the time she walked back out again.
The Photos
Cheers!
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