A vintage evening of swirling guitars, raw energy and beautifully unpredictable mayhem
It was my first visit to the fantastic Albert Hall in Manchester and what a gem it is. Proving to be the perfect backdrop for a mix of 60s-inspired rock and modern psychedelia from The Brian Jonestown Massacre (BJM), whose name combines a tribute to Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones and a reference to the 1978 Jonestown Massacre, supported by the Swedish band, Les Big Byrd who had collaborated with Anton Newcombe of BJM during their early recording sessions.
The venue, originally built in 1910 as the Manchester and Salford Wesleyan Mission, has apparently undergone various transformations—from a place of worship to a nightclub, and now a celebrated music venue. Its neo-Baroque architecture, complete with a horseshoe gallery and stained-glass windows and intricate terracotta detailing, offers an intimate atmosphere and excellent stage views for up to 2,290 music lovers. Over the years, the Albert Hall has hosted numerous notable acts, including Supergrass and Johnny Marr.
Kicking off the evening, Les Big Byrd delivered their unique blend of space rock, atmospheric soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms. Formed in Stockholm in 2011 by Joakim Åhlund and Frans Johansson, their set began with ‘Mareld’ and included other popular songs such as ‘Diamonds, Rhinestones’ and ‘I Used to Be Lost’. By the end of their set, they had deservedly swelled their British fan base, setting the stage for the headliners.
As BJM took to the stage, led by the enigmatic Anton Newcombe, the venue was clearly at full capacity and the atmosphere cranked up more than a notch or two as devotees pressed their way to the front and roared their approval. They were not disappointed; he delivered a performance that had a vintage feel but yet it felt fresh and shifted from dreamy and detached to aggressive and urgent.
With a career spanning over three decades, the band has continually evolved, heavily influenced by 60’s psychedelia, particularly The Rolling Stones and The Byrds. Their setlist for the evening was a testament to their vast repertoire and spanned their extensive discography, featuring classics like ‘Anemone’, ‘When Jokers Attack’, and newer compositions such as ‘Fudge’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Get in Your Way.’
The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s music carries a rebellious, free-spirited energy that captivates all in attendance, and their connection with their fans was clearly visible. It felt more like an experience than a concert, with driving rhythms and psychedelic jams, swirling guitars and vintage aesthetics. It was raw, real and refreshingly different.
Catch The Brian Jonestown Massacre playing in Europe this May:
Main Photo Credit / All Photos: PHIL THORNS
- ‘Maybe Make It Right’
- ‘Vacuum Boots’
- ‘That Girl Suicide’
- ‘Do Rainbows Have Ends’
- ‘Lucky Kitty’
- ‘Fudge’
- ‘Days, Weeks and Moths’
- ‘When Jokers Attack’
- ‘Anemone’
- ‘Nevertheless’
- ‘Pish’
- ‘Don’t Let Me Get in Your Way’
- ‘You Think I’m Joking?’
- ‘What Happened to Them’
- ‘Forgotten Graves’
- ‘A Word’
- ‘Servo’
- ‘Super-Sonic’
Follow The Brian Jonestown Massacre on Their Socials:
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