It was only a few months ago that I bemoaned your average gig goers dismissive attitude towards that most thankless of jobs, the support band. Nottingham does after all, rock. It’s true, I’ve seen the hash tag, ‘rocking’ does not involves standing in the bar or sitting having a fag outside under a heat lamp. With this is mind, it was lovely to see the full house that warmly welcomed tonight’s opener. Quirky Japanese pop punk three piece Toquiwa instantly got the crowd on side with a storming support set that made my bones rattle from where I was standing on the balcony. They’re signed to Scorpitones, The Wedding Present’s own label, so I imagine that this won’t be the last we see of them.
The idea of a band touring with a performance of an entire album is one that nobody seems able to put an exact date of origin on. The ipod (other MP3 players are available) ‘shuffle’ mode has all but destroyed the safe knowledge of what’s coming up next, so hearing The Wedding Present, or any band for that matter, play one of their classics, is a treat you don’t want to miss.
Formed in 1985, The Wedding Present never really hit the big time commercially, save for a few fairly respectable appearances in the hit parade that peaked at number fourteen, always maintaining a loyal fan base and a dignified underground status, and of course the all important seal of approval from John Peel, they have survived perhaps because of this rather than despite it.
The band are celebrating the twenty first anniversary of their third studio album Seamonsters by playing it in its entirety, after doing the same thing with Bizarro in 2010. Introducing themselves as “the semi-legendary Wedding Present” was met with unanimous disagreement from the audience, all of whom thought them fully worthy of the somewhat overused ‘L’ word. To kick things off, the band fired out a book ended collection of songs from their vast back catalogue, including ‘Back A Bit, Stop’ from their new album Valentina, and to a massive cheer, the 1987 single ‘My Favourite Dress’. Dressed all in black as usual, David Gedge looked every inch the Melody Maker reader’s hero of days passed.
The between song chat was kept to a minimum, save for some self-depreciating gags. Once the performance of Seamonsters started, there wasn’t another word spoken until “that was Seamonsters”. There wasn’t even a pause while we imagined turning the album over to the B-side, (younger readers might need help with that last line).
Having been treated to a selection of songs before the album, this was like buying an album and getting greatest hits compilation as a free gift, and then being able to watch them perform it. The current incarnation of The Wedding Present was on amazing form, the only thing missing was the hiss and crackle of needle meeting vinyl that many of us are familiar with.
Playing through the album without a rest, every track a sing-along crowd pleaser, we were reminded that Gedge and company don’t do encores. They did play two extra songs though, ‘Click Click’ and ‘Take Me’ to a rapturous reception. Tonight makes it into my ‘gigs of the year’ list for certain.
As the curfew arrived, a happy crowd filed out desperate to get home and have an urgent rummage through their LP collections and do it all again. Here’s to the Watusi tour in 2015.
