The Bluetones - Northampton Roadmenders - 17/3/02
3/5
By: Andy Willson
The Bluetones are an act worthy of more than they receive from the media, you know. I mean, how many other Brit-bands survived the mid-90s and still successfully achieved top-20 hits and top-10 LPs throughout? Answer: not many. Aside from that, who else could assemble such a fine singles-compilation as the one about to be unleashed into the UK stores early next month? Answer: once again, not many. Luckily, however, tonight isn't about those that don't believe - it's one for the fans.
The evening begins, though, with an impressive half-hour set from rock-newcomers, Easyworld, who try out a couple of new songs mixed in with indie-classics, such as 'You Make Me Want To Drink Bleach' and the oddly-touching 'Junkies & Whores'. Sounding rather similar to the main event, the crowd naturally warms to them immediately, helping to build the tension for the following act.
Really, it seems as if the Roadmenders has never been so busy. At 9.00pm, the bar empties as people try to squeeze into the packed-room, moving around desperately to show their anticipation. It soon doesn't take too long either to realise that there is quite a mixed crowd tonight - or that most people are below 5' 5", pleasing the middle-sized members of the audience amongst us.
Right, enough shoe-gazing. As our golden boys arrive onstage, the first thing you particularly notice is their attire; quite a few bands now are trying to smarten up their acts by dressing in suits (see The Hives, The Strokes etc.), but The Bluetones have been dressing like this for years, and it suits the music. Clearly, trouping on in such a slick demeanour allows them to start proceedings in the same way, kicking off with a rowdy 'Solomon Bites The Worm', a groovy, guitar-drenched number to get the crowd moving. Their endeavours succeed in doing so.
And what effectively follows is an hour or so of classic tunes, perfectly supplementing the release of their greatest-hits LP. Typically, the biggest cheer of the night is reserved for their 'Wonderwall', in the form of 'Slight Return', which everyone present seems to disturbingly know every word to.
However, more stand-out was a marvellous rendition of 'Woman In Love', a B-side on new single 'After Hours', worth owning just for this track. Following this, though, as well as every hit they've ever had, from all 3 albums, the set closes with an ever-epic 'If...' Unshockingly, the band are treated to a standing ovation from a jubilant crowd at the end of the evening's proceedings.
Fingers are crossed that they continue to play the quirky tunes we have come to recognise instantly, but what with the emergence of Emo, Nu Metal, and other rock-nightmares, you do wonder if they can cut it in a changing music world. Whether they can or can't, though, the fact remains: there will always be a special place in thousands of people's hearts for Big Mo and the boys.
Artists in this article: The Bluetones
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment