http://www.drownedinsound.com/venue.php?id=301
The venue: Oxford Zodiac
The date: 14th December 2004
It might seem funny to all you young’uns out there but in 1994 the Brett and Bernard split was just as big news the Pete and Carl saga today, with the NME even declaring a special issue when the latter walked out of Suede. So tonight expectation hangs heavy; at best their first show in a decade will be an unforgettable I-was-there event, at worst an unholy mix of ‘A New Morning’ era Suede and Bernard’s awful second solo album. There are quite a few crossed fingers in the audience as the roadies are tuning up, but don’t go asking for any of your old favourites. It’s new stuff only.
The first major development is that Bernard’s now singing backing vocals. It’s hard not to wonder if this is a good thing as although they harmonize well on the choruses, it ties them down to a limited range that makes a couple of tunes sound a bit too similar. Analysis is soon put aside however when third song ‘Imperfection’ shows a tender lyrical dexterity that Brett’s been missing for the best part of a decade. Maybe it’s going to work out after all…they are nervous too, bless, with Brett humbly asking if it was alright after the first song then looking delighted with the reaction.
It’s impossible not to look for self referencing in the lyrics; they aren’t short of love songs but when they sing ‘when we’re together the world smiles´ on a song called ’Co-Star ‘you’re pretty sure you know what they’re on about. But unfair as it is to judge a band on their first gig, as the set wears on you can’t help thinking, is this it? Shouldn’t I be more excited?
Which is obviously when they sneak up and kick you in the nuts. ‘This is a song about a doomed relationship,’ Brett says coyly. Bernard is smiling. It’s called ‘Apollo 13’ And it’s fucking amazing. How good? Well if it was on the first disc of ‘Sci-Fi Lullabies’ it would be the best song there. ‘If you follow me/I will follow you’ Brett sings, voice soaring and it’s here, almost at the end of the set when you finally realise they’re back! And they matter! The place goes wild as they finish and even the band look surprised.
Keep in mind that it’s the first time all these people have stood on stage together and you can’t help thinking how good they’ll be by the time they tour properly next year. If there’s one thing you’re left with as you take the bus back to the station it’s the certainty that, in a year that already promises some classic debut albums, there’ll be at least one record out in 2005 that will keep the upstarts on their toes.
