One of my favourite bands and a concert I had been looking forward to for many months. Playing the album in its entirety (Ocean Rain) which most fans would say was their best with a string section. Most would say that THE song on the album is the Killing Moon which, although a classic, plays second fiddle to the title track for me, which they rarely play live. Had splashed out for VIP tickets which were advertised as including a meet and greet with Ian and/or Will, Tour laminate, Poster and front row seats.
Arrived at the venue very early and h
ad a meal there where we could hear in the distance a sound check. Posters were up which suggested there would be a strings section, a greatest hits section, then the Ocean Rain album.
Met up with Will pre-gig who was happy to pose for pics and sign anything you wanted, while proving to be a thoroughly nice bloke. Were also given a poster for the gig signed by Will and Mac, Live dvd and cd of Ocean Rain, but no laminates. Was looking like a good night was ahead.
Made our way to the front row (no drinks allowed to be taken into the Hall, although this was not advertised at the bar, so loads standing outside finishing drinks before entering). Great seats and was positioned directly in front of where Will would be.
The opening set was by the Cairn String Quartet, which proved not to be a quartet as there were 6 of them! Played a couple of classical numbers then some more contemporary tunes, the highlight for me was Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. Six immaculately dressed girls (one of whom was 16 that night, although they all looked much older to me. That may be my age though). Very impressive, although it was clear there were a few piss-heads in even this early by a very drunk loud-mouthed woman behind us and a bloke shouting “Fucking Bunnymen” during their performance.
Let me clarify here I am a big fan. Although I far prefer the original Bunnymen stuff, I have been to see them countless times and still bought all the albums since they reformed, and go to see them whenever they come to Scotland. (Well into double figures). Although Les Pattinson was initially still with them when they reformed, Will Sergeant and Ian McCulloch always seemed to be the two that they had to have to make it the Bunnymen. Although Mac’s voice could no longer hit the high notes it once could, when he put his mind to it, he still had a great voice. He has been known to the odd hissy fit over the years. (Refusing to carry on at Oran Mor in Glasgow a few years back until a woman was removed etc). He had often drank a lot on stage, but usually still kept it together. He liked to banter with the crowd, although it was often difficult to make out. Will’s guitar playing was always exemplary in my experience.
An interval next before the Bunnymen took to the stage, joined by the strings. Bouncers came along the front row and told everyone that while they could stand, “The Artist had asked that no-one approach the stage”. Strange. There were also signs everywhere saying there could be no photography and those flouting this would be ejected. The bouncers pounced on anyone taking out a camera or mobile phone as soon as they did.
So the “Greatest Hits” section first. Opened with “Rust”, from second album after they reformed. Mac said it was “A bit rusty” on completion. Went through a few of the classics and a lot of the newer music, but the band and the Strings when used sounded great. Mac seemed to be drinking a lot and was often quite amusing at this point, although messed up the lyrics a few times and was prone to talking during instrumental parts of songs. Included Bring On The Dancing Horses and Never Stop. He criticised some of the band during this section, the crowd for being out of time, the lighting guy, but expressed his love for Scotland (as he usually does) and talked of his father having Scottish roots. “Rescue” seemed to go quite wrong towards the end. We heard for the first time something about a chocolate birthday cake, which he didn’t like which had candles on which he didn’t like. Not clear whose this was, but as I said, one of the String Girls had a birthday this day.
The Greatest Hits didn’t include the ones they usually do like The Back of Love, The Cutter, Lips Like Sugar or Nothing Ever Lasts Forever. I expected these were being saved for the encore. This was what they did in December 2010 when I last saw them, when they played their first two albums, then came back to do some greatest hits.
Another interval before the Ocean Rain in its entirety.
Mac seemed to be getting increasingly drunk at this point and although it was great to hear some of the less played songs from the album such as Crystal Days and My Kingdom, he was becoming increasingly incoherent between songs and getting more abusive to anyone who shouted out. Had several shots at doing a comedy Scottish accent, talked of the birthday cake again. The strings really enhanced the album and the band were playing well. It was great to watch Will from about three feet away. A master of his craft. The Bunnymen have written some amazing songs over the years.
Mac was getting more and more incoherent and stopped “The Killing Moon” at least twice at the start to berate the crowd and give abuse to the sound engineer.
It reached the stage of the final song on the album. The gorgeous “Ocean Rain”. A few false starts as he tried to get the crowd to shut up. By now, quite a few of the more drunk members of the audience were starting to become impatient. “Get on with it” and several other things were shouted. By now, Mac was having this and was swearing at and offering to fight anyone who shouted out. To show how gone he was by now, he suggested at one point that “I will knee-cap yer fuckin’ head off”.
He had completely lost it by now and it was becoming more shambolic. He stormed off before the song had properly started and left a bemused band and string section not having a clue what to do. The band eventually followed before a scared looking string section were also told to leave (who got a great round of applause from the crowd).
After a long gap, the strings, band and Mac returned. Quite a few had left by now. Mac was apologetic and mumbled something about having had some bad news. He was crying by this point, which he also seemed to be doing when storming off. I hope he hadn’t, but it seemed odd when it was the crowd who seemed to be annoying him most.
The opening bars of Ocean Rain began again with Mac telling the crowd there was no point in him being there if the crowd were going to sing. Seriously??? More arguing with the crowd who were getting very impatient by now. A cross between the impatience of “Just fucking sing it!” to the supportive “You can do it!” and “We love you”. I would like to point out there were quite a few twats in the crowd.
Mac then spoke to the drummer and the Killing Moon was started again. Will looked at the drummer who shrugged. More ranting and across to speak in Will’s ear. Then shouted at Will “You didn’t even notice”, you are supposed to be my mate” and threw his mic in Will’s direction and stormed off. I left this time. After applauding the band and the Strings off again. They didn’t come back.
Paparazzi seemed to be taking pics of the crowd as they left. Ran into three of the string section who were mortified by what had happened.
So expensive VIP tickets, a half day from work, a hotel for the night, train fares a great start then a complete shambles. Mac seems on the verge of a nervous breakdown and Will and the rest of the band looked disgusted. They didn’t even play Ocean Rain.
