LA Gigs Pt. 2 - Echo & The Bunnymen

Legends.  To some of us, that’s exactly what Echo & The Bunnymen are.  They gave us something leftfield, artistic, poetic and credible to listen to to break us out of the grip of the British New Romantics of the time.  It was also a time when Ian McCulloch’s nemasis - Bono was doing quite well.

‘Bono? He’s a twat’.  Mac told me once.  I learned not to mention the U2 front-man again as Ian’s tirades about the man are both animated and… lengthy. So when The Bunnymen came to LA this weekend to play a sold out show at The Nokia Theatre, it was a coincidence that U2 were playing the following evening at Hollywood Bowl.
One of these gigs would be a spectacle of greatest hits, posturing, special effects and multi-million dollar marketing.  The other would be an extraordinary performance by one of the world’s greatest, slightly unsung bands.  The gig that they were about to perform would be the best E&TB gig that I have ever seen, and although  I was a little worried that the LA crowd wouldn’t be that into them, I shouldnt have been.  I was dead wrong.

(apologies for crap pictures. Iphone - 'nuff said).

Everyone of the 6,500 people in attendance went bananas, sang along and generally grooved through a two hour epic show, accompanied by a full orchestra for the entire playback of the seminal Ocean Rain album.  Every track inspired an arena full of fans to whoop and cheer and mouth the words back to a McCulloch, who was in silhouette throughout almost the whole show.  Now, not many rock stars are cool enough to pull THAT OFF.
After the final chords of Ocean Rain finished, there was a 20 minute interval, and then the band returned for a more traditional set that was one of the best I’ve seen them play in years.  Ian’s voice was better than ever and the show was a captivating example of what happens when brilliant song writers are put in an environment that can do justice to their talents.  The highlight of the night for most, predictably enough, was the encore performance of ‘Lips Like Sugar’, but for me it was seeing my friend Ian (Mac) McCulloch in his absolute element.

Who is the best band in the world?  U2?  There were at least 6,500 in Los Angeles this weekend who would have disagreed.
Thanks to Ian, Pete and everyone for the gig, the hospitality, the fun and games and the entertaining meet and greet ‘guest stars’.
Visit the Bunnymen’s website.

Posted on 26-10-2009