PRIMAL SCREAM – THE FORUM THEATRE – 10.01.2025
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: David Harris
I finally got to see Scottish Rockers Primal Scream in Melbourne last night at a packed Forum Theatre. I made sure I got there as soon as the doors opened and made my way straight down to the front barrier where I stayed for the whole evening.
Primal Scream are from Glasgow, Scotland and formed back in 1982. Their music is very diverse and has changed constantly throughout their 40-plus years as a band. Their music crosses over many genres from alt rock, garage rock, blues, electronic/alternative dance/trance, neo-psychedelia and indie pop. This is what makes the band so incredibly dynamic and unique and their live shows so exciting.
Band members:
Bobby Gillepsie – Lead vocals (previously drummer with The Jesus & Mary Chain)
Andrew Innes – Lead guitar, backing vocals
Darrin Mooney – Drums, percussion
Simone Butler – Bass guitar
Last night they were an 8-piece band. There were the above 4 main members accompanied by saxophonist/horns, two backing vocalists and a keys/synth player contributing to a huge rock sound.
My first taste of Primal Scream was when I heard MOVIN’ ON UP from their Screamadelica album back in 1991. This song has a very Stones-style blues rock sound that won me over and I still love this song 30-plus years on. Good music is good music! Hearing them play this song was a special moment for me and took me back to my mid-20s.
Melbourne band, J.P Shilo opened the show and I thoroughly enjoyed their short set. J.P Shilo is an enigmatic frontman and guitarist playing what can only be described as experimental psychedelic rock. He is best known for his work with Melbourne band Hungry Ghosts, as well as contributions to classic albums by Rowland S.Howard, Mick Harvey, Adalita, The Triffids and the Blackeyed Susans.
Gut Health played next and are a 6-piece hypnotic dance-punk ensemble from Naarm/Melbourne. I’ve seen this band a few times now and the band play so incredibly well together. Their music can be described somewhere between rhythm heaviness and fierce chaotic punk.
Primal Scream wandered out to a thunderous applause. The stage was dimly lit and had no stage backdrop or theatrics. They commenced their show with SWASTIKA EYES (1999), also known as War Pigs. This song was released in 1999 and was the lead single for their 6th studio album XTRMNTR (2000). A very confrontational song, which the band said is an attack on corporations and governments. The song features fast tribal beats, heavy synths and a strong electronica sound. We could easily have been at a rave or a Chemical Brothers gig grooving along to this song.
LOVE INSURRECTION (2024) from Primal Scream’s recent release Come Ahead (2024) followed and is a funky, soulful song that had the crowd shuffling along. Frontman Gillepsie is a laid back, chilled kinda guy and dressed in his white suit looked cool for cats.
JAILBIRD (1994) from Give Out But Don’t Give Up (1994) was one of the crowd favourites tonight, the bongos, keys and backing vocals on this one make it such a funky song. The crowd sang along and chanted the catchy chorus “I’m yours, you’re mine’ gimme more of that jailbird pie.” I love the songs intro:
“Scratchin’ like a tom cat, got a monkey on my back, I’m gonna push and pull and howl like a wolf and drive my Cadillac.”
Primal Scream provided punters with a wonderful smorgasboard of their music playing 17 songs tonight and 8 songs were from the Come Ahead (2024) album giving the crowd a generous taste of their new album. I must say that I’m loving the new album and its fresh sound.
READY TO GO HOME (2024) is a gospel tune. The song sounds like a message to the Lord, saying they’ve lived their life here on planet earth and are ready to go home to the Kingdom. This song has cool synth, guitar and wonderful gospel backing vocals. DEEP DARK WATERS (2024) highlighted Gillespie’s laid back vocals and the band’s blend of groove with a saxophone solo. INNOCENT MONEY (2024) is a busy song and has a bit of everything going on, with its catchy quirky lyrics about money and greed, wonderful horns, heavy synths, guitar and drums had the audience involved. HEAL YOURSELF (2024) is a ballad showcasing Gillespie’s smooth vocals. Mixing things up, LOVE AIN’T ENOUGH (2024) with its heavy guitar riff opening, heavy synths and thumping drums is an uptempo rock song. CIRCUS OF LIFE (2024) has that signature Primal Scream sound, similar to their classic song, Rocks. MELANCHOLY MAN (2024) was the first song of their encore and is a dreamy powerful song about a man trapped in his tired body and can’t let go of the past. A prisoner of bones and skin, never listens to his soul. Open your eyes, embrace your fears and release yourself from years of solitude, set yourself free. Absolutely beautiful!
Primal Scream played several songs from Screamadelica (1991) much to the delight of the crowd. The funky, party-like LOADED (1991) and MOVIN’ ON UP (1991) were crowd favourites and had everyone singing and dancing along. Gillespie and the two backing vocalists shined on these two songs. COME TOGETHER (1991) was included in the encore and the crowd went totally off tap to this one, beaming with joy.
COUNTRY GIRL (2006) from Riot City Blues (2006) highlighted just how much this band can mix it up with this rousing, irrepressible Stones-influenced tune –
“Country girl, take my hand, Lead me through this diseased land, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, I have stole, I have sinned, Oh my soul is unclean, Country girl, got to keep on keepin on.”
The evening concluded with the bluesy rock anthem ROCKS (1994) from Give Out But Don’t Give Up (1994) and was the perfect song to end a wonderful evening with the legendary Primal Scream.
SET LIST:
Swastika Eyes
Love Insurrection
Jailbird
Ready To Go Home
Deep Dark Waters
Medication
Innocent Money
Heal Yourself
I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have
Love Ain’t Enough
Circus of Life
Loaded
Movin’ On Up
Country Girl
Encore:
Melancholy Man
Come Together
Rocks
