LIVE REVIEW: Back With a Bang: The Wonder Stuff Kick Off 40th Anniversary Tour in Newcastle
Joined by Inspiral Carpets at O2 City Hall, the band proved four decades on they're still writing their legacy, not just celebrating it.
The Wonder Stuff at O2 City Hall Newcastle marking forty years making music, The Wonder Stuff kicked off their fortieth anniversary tour in Newcastle at O2 City Hall Newcastle. The band whose hits were a huge part of the theme tune to a generation were joined by another iconic name in music, Manchester rock band Inspiral Carpets, who were tasked with opening proceedings.
It was a simple stage setup, a band logo backdrop with a few amps is all it takes when the music is able to speak for itself. Inspiral Carpets are a band that have seen a few changes, but their distinctive sound is as inspiring as it ever was. The camaraderie is obvious, with plenty of supportive interactions at points.
Bassist Martyn was a bundle of energy, moving around the stage from start to finish. There wasn't an inch of that stage that he didn't stomp on, and that energy was incredibly infectious. They played their hits, of course, but the Newcastle crowd were the very first in the world to see Inspiral Carpets play "By Your Side," the lead single from their forthcoming album. If the rest of the album sounds as good as this did, then we are all in for a treat. Afterwards, Clint Boon said: "One day you'll realise how special it was for us to play that song in this city."
It was a simple stage setup, a band logo backdrop with a few amps is all it takes when the music is able to speak for itself. Inspiral Carpets are a band that have seen a few changes, but their distinctive sound is as inspiring as it ever was. The camaraderie is obvious, with plenty of supportive interactions at points.
Bassist Martyn was a bundle of energy, moving around the stage from start to finish. There wasn't an inch of that stage that he didn't stomp on, and that energy was incredibly infectious. They played their hits, of course, but the Newcastle crowd were the very first in the world to see Inspiral Carpets play "By Your Side," the lead single from their forthcoming album. If the rest of the album sounds as good as this did, then we are all in for a treat. Afterwards, Clint Boon said: "One day you'll realise how special it was for us to play that song in this city."
The Newcastle crowd were in high spirits as they waited for the night's headliner to take to the stage. There wasn't long to wait before Miles and co walked on stage to huge cheers. Miles had two cans of Guinness in hand, and Erica held aloft a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale, a nice touch.
They wasted no time getting down to business, opening up with "Mission Drive," and it was clear from the huge smile on Miles' face that he was very happy to be on stage doing his thing. The Wonder Stuff are celebrating a monumental milestone in their career, and they have a back catalogue that spans two centuries and two millennia, for that matter, so there was plenty of material for the fans to get their dancing shoes on for.
Miles alluded to that timeline: "Yeah, just a couple of songs that were written in this century," he said after a great rendition of "In Clover." "This one's from last century," he continued, before counting in "Don't Let Me Down Gently." The atmosphere was electric as the band belted out anthem after anthem; vocally and musically, they sounded as fresh as they did when they first appeared on my radar back in the 90s.
Miles alluded to that timeline: "Yeah, just a couple of songs that were written in this century," he said after a great rendition of "In Clover." "This one's from last century," he continued, before counting in "Don't Let Me Down Gently." The atmosphere was electric as the band belted out anthem after anthem; vocally and musically, they sounded as fresh as they did when they first appeared on my radar back in the 90s.
For those not familiar with The Wonder Stuff, you will doubtless recognise one of their biggest hits, "The Size of a Cow," or my personal favourite, "Golden Green." You will be pleased to know that they are both on the setlist and sound just as good now as they always have done. That said, it is the deeper cuts like "Red Berry Joy Town" and "No for the 13th Time" in the encore that really made for a gig that showcased the very best of a band whose legacy is still being written. Even after four decades of music, The Wonder Stuff still feel like a band in the middle of their creative powers, not just looking back at past achievements.
As an opening night of the tour, you might expect some first-night nerves, but from what I could see and hear, the band was on top of their game and sounded amazing. The tour continues throughout October and closes with a newly added date at Birmingham's O2 Institute on the 9th of December.
As an opening night of the tour, you might expect some first-night nerves, but from what I could see and hear, the band was on top of their game and sounded amazing. The tour continues throughout October and closes with a newly added date at Birmingham's O2 Institute on the 9th of December.
