Spiritualized perform Ladies and Gentlemen…South Bank Centre (13/10/09)
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Spiritualized played their seminal album Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space at the South Bank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall last night as part of the ATP/Don’t Look Back series. The Royal Festival Hall was a throughly appropriate setting for the performance of this work of art, not least because the stage was large enough to fit everyone on, but also the lights were superb and there was something enjoyable about watching this majestic music from a seat - even Jason Pierce himself chose to sit down throughout.
Accompanied by an orchestra and a gospel choir, Spiritualized began with a rousing rendition of Ladies and Gentlemen…complete with the original sample from Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love, which was left off the album release due to copyright issues. It was clear from this moment that this was going to be an epic gig, the choir adding a new dimension to the sound not heard since Spiritualized toured with the London Community Gospel Choir around the time of the album’s original release.
The guitars kicked in on a lively version of Come Together, which was followed by Think I’m in Love. The call/response that ends this song, with Jason Pierce’s lines being repeated by the choir was particularly effective.
All of my Thoughts saw the full effect of the violent strobing which had been merely been hinted at in the first three songs. Spiritualized have always used noise and release to great effect. Here, the white noise sections with the intense and impressive strobing was almost too much to bear, but the glorious release as the song returned to its verse was almost, well, spiritual.
After a beautiful Stay With Me, the tempo was changed with the more traditional rock of Electricity before Home of the Brave and The Individual brought the strobes and a tremendous wall of noise which had a bit of everything in it - kettle drums, seashells, brass, strings, guitars, harmonicas.. I am sure I am not the only one who usually skips these two tracks when listening at home. Hearing them live I am reminded that seeing Spiritualized live can sometimes be an endurance test as the noise builds and builds. Watching them at Glastonbury 1998 knee-deep in mud there were a number of calls for them to “get on with it” but in the comfort and sophistication of the Festival Hall no-one expressed such impatience.
In a way that is why Spiritualized work - the long, sometimes monotonous wig-outs of noise give way eventually, and thankfully, to beautiful release. This time after the stick of the previous two songs we are rewarded with the beautiful carrot that is Broken Heart. The strings really came into their own here, especially towards the end of the song as the venue was bathed in beautiful green lights reflecting off a gigantic disco ball. After No Good Only Religion came Cool Waves, which again utilised the gospel choir to stunning effect as the Festival Hall was turned into a church. Finally Cop Shoot Cop brought a stunning show to a climax, with its unbearably loud middle section before it was brought down to a minimalist and beautiful choral hook and piano. No Dr John but this was a fitting climax to a superb show. The only minor disappointment was the encore, which consisted of the lovely Outta Sight - I would have loved to have heard the choir tackle Soul on Fire.
What did you think? Post your comment below.