No doubt some people wanted to whinge and moan and say “It’s not really The Stranglers” – half a band at best – but usually those people are the ones who don’t go to the show. No one could have gone to this and been upset. It was all the hits – and yet it wasn’t just a nostalgia-fest even though that was sorta the aim. It transcended that, a vitality, a fierceness – also just a vibrancy about the material and these versions (an incredible fill-in drummer).

It didn’t just sound like the hits being played for the sake of it.

I met my good buddy Jon ahead of the show, we had time for two beers and then got there to see Ed Kuepper who was great, but really was kinda wrong for that environment, and didn’t got down all that well – was a shame to see him not really paid the right respect though (I loved his set – and got to meet him a few days on, really nice chap and such a great player).

But anyway, that was the only (mild) complaint – the rest of the night went off.

I talked it up as best I could. I see they’re coming back. Well worth seeing if you didn’t catch this – though I’m sure the second time around it’ll be the same set – which is fine if you’re a fan of course. But not sure I’d need to see it twice.
Stubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down.