Black Grape – Live

Of the plethora of musical genre’s that have swept the United Kingdom over the last sixty years, the cult of Madchester seems to be unique in its self-perpetuating popularity...
Black Grape : Live

Black Grape : Live

Of the plethora of musical genre’s that have swept the United Kingdom over the last sixty years, the cult of Madchester seems to be unique in its self-perpetuating popularity that still exists today more than 25 years after its initial peak. The movement’s central dynamic duo of the Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays, along with bridesmaids including The Charlatans and Inspiral Carpets, all still exist in some shape or form, with a unique musical style that could best be described as a funked up indie with a look based on a cross between a hippy and a football hooligan, also comprising a trademark northern swagger that seems to give the impression that the disease of rickets had returned to the shores of England. The profusion of tribute bands covering the above artists and the size of venues that The Stone Roses can sell out in the time it takes to listen to “Fool’s Gold” (pun intended) are all evidence of its continuing popularity. The Happy Mondays have never reached the heights they did in the early nineties, but they can still sell out medium sized halls on the back of album anniversary tours, which are the current vogue. Black Grape formed in 1993 from the debris left over from the Mondays’ implosion by Shaun Ryder and amongst others Kermit (Paul Leveridge) from the Ruthless Rap Assassins actually shifted more units than the Mondays, with their debut album It’s Great When You’re Straight Yeah, which on release went straight to the top of the U.K album chart achieving platinum status. After 21 years, it’s coming of age party stopped off at Nottingham’s Rock City on Thursday, 8th December.

Shaun RyderOn initial perusal, the album appears to be frontloaded, as the three singles lifted from it, namely “In the Name of the Father”, “Reverend Black Grape” and “Kelly’s Heroes” are in the first four tracks on the record, but the strength and vibrancy of the other songs shone through in the live performance.

First up on the night were Alias Kid from Manchester, who have already been lauded as the new Oasis by the over-eager critics who it seem to have too much time on their hands waiting for the Gallaghers to reunite. With a line up comprising three guitars, drums, bass and a dual vocal assault they were nothing but powerful, but with tunes as strong as “Smoke and Ashes” and “Dirty Soul,” the Gallagher’s legacy is safe in their tenure.

KermitAfter what seemed an eternal wait Black Grape finally arrived and launched straight into “In the Name of the Father”, causing a breakout of delirious dad dancing from the ageing but enthusiastic crowd. The set was short but energetic, with the in-between song vocal jousting between Ryder and Kermit being almost as entertaining as the music. After a little under 45 minutes, including a couple of tracks namely “Tell Me Something” and “Get Higher”, lifted from the criminally underrated second album Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, they returned for the encore opening with a brash “Kelly’s Heroes” and finishing up with “Little Bob”, with Ryder and Kermit leaving the band to perform an extended outro that was as captivating as any of the previous vocal exchanges. The band has announced the release of a brand new album next year, and if this performance was anything to go by then we are in for something exceptional in 2017.

Black Grape

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