The Jesus and Mary Chain, in the 1980’s would regularly be asked what they would be doing in five years time? Inferring the band was going to be a flash in the pan (like many acts) 40 years on since the release of their first single Upside Down the band, well the Reid Brothers, are still making music, have a second Top Ten UK LP under their belt (Glasgow Eyes 2024) are still touring the world, and seem as prophetic and timeless as always.
40 years together and 36 since they first played in Aotearoa, the Tamaki Makaurau show was at this very same venue, The Powerstation, November 1988 (Fun fact The Straitjacket Fits opened for them) I was there.
At last, after many hits and misses, a local support act that is bang on, their mystique and mana suitably added to tonight’s billing, and a chance to see them on a big stage, through a big sound system, was not to be missed.
They look so cool onstage, as I walk in they are onstage at 8pm, the mix takes a while to balance drums are too high, guitar too low. but by the third song they have balance, man and woman have balance.
There is power onstage Elliot is feeding off the room, the moment, the crowd. A song, Check it out (maybe the title) is a powerhouse, a stand-out, the chorus creates angst in the room. Even without a bass there is deep rhythm, Elliot’s vocal inflection creates rhythm.
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