Ian McCulloch @St. Philip’s Church, Salford[REVIEW]
05.02.16
★★★★☆
Alejandro De Luna
I´ve seen The Bunnymen a handful of times, but this was the first time I´ve seen the frontman and lyricist in this dramatic demonstration of introspection – an Anglican church in the heart of Salford, an acoustic guitar, a voice sweetened by 4 brandies and a repertoire that no doubt has a unique place in the best of the English songbook. Ian McCulloch´s expected arrogance and Lou Reed-like look make sense as soon as the Liverpudlian grabs the guitar and starts shooting the audience with Bunnymen renditions and tributes to The Velvet´s frontman, and Wilson Pickett.
Is ‘The Killing Moon’ “the best song ever written” as Mac has been declaring for decades? No, but is a brilliant pop song. Does Echo & The Bunnymen have the title of the “greatest band in human history” as Ian McCulloch proclaims? Not really, but who gives a fuck? At least the Liverpudlian songwriter has a solid catalogue that puts him on the list of the most relevant english songwriters. Having said that, his familiar bigmouthed comments have some sort of legitimate support; not like has-beens A.K.A. Noel Gallagher who instead of making a good record since decades, became a NME clown/entertainer and proclaims greatness and a god-like status with no substantial support. But anyway, just listen to ‘Lips Like Sugar’, ‘The Game’, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, and ‘Rust’, for proof of McCulloch´s quality.
Under this intimate atmosphere that protect us from the rain in Salford, Mac´s iconic songs are transformed into direct and personal hooks of pop brilliance. Although listening to Echo & the Bunnymen brings thickness and dark textures to his catalogue, this bare and noise free renditions have a deeper effect as they force the audience to absorb the lyrics from the Mersey bigmouth. The Scouse seems to flow effortlessly on the empty stage; his emotionally crumbled but velvety voice offers enough drama that is enhanced by the six strings – an underrated talent on the Livepudlian. The coolness, recklessness and arrogance are well justified by this repertoire that puts U2´s song book in the bin of second league contenders. Well played, Mac.
I think most bands are rubbish. – Ian McCulloch
SETLIST
Rescue / Villiers Terrace / Proud To Fall* / Seven Seas / Beedbugs & Ballyhoo / I´m Waiting For My Man (The Velvet Underground) / Angels & Devils / All My Colours (Zimbo) / Bringing On The Dancing Horses / Nothing Lasts Forever / Walk On The Wild Side (Lou Reed) – In The Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett) – ??? / Candleland* / The Game / The Killing Moon // Rust / Lips Like Sugar // Ocean Rain
*Ian McCulloch solo songs
