New Model Army

It’s a little less than 30 years ago when I was first introduced to New Model Army. Their forth album, Thunder and Consolation, had just been released and music-news’ very own editor invited me to Brixton Academy to what remains for me a significant memory - passionate, angry, romantic and bursting with energy. Over the years their integrity has not wavered. Sure, some albums remain better than others, and some gigs have had less impact, but on the whole they have remained consistent.

Over the last few months NMA have been visiting several key cities performing 30th Anniversary shows to celebrate their extensive back catalogue - two nights, with two completely different set-lists. The anniversary tour finished in London and was being filmed for a future DVD release, which probably proved to be a good thing as they were on top form, very much playing for the cameras and the memory of it all.

Both nights started around 8 o’clock and, but for a couple of short intermissions, didn’t close until gone 11. Both sets started acoustically, before building gradually over the coming hours with some blistering moments as drums, bass and guitar were cranked up. Certainly, this was the best I’d seen them in many a year. Justin Sullivan is a fantastic lyricist which compensates for some of the lesser tunes, but the strength of material played over the two nights far outweighed any weaker moments. Despite almost 60 songs played, they could have easily put on a third night. If they had any energy left to give, that is!

By the closing encore of the Saturday night, Justin looked spent. The Friday was great with plenty a fantastic tune to sing your heart out too – Better Than Them, Turn Away, White Coats, Vengeance, High, Wonderful Way To Go, 51st State to name but a few… Oh, not forgetting Betcha. Again, they started the Saturday night with 45 minutes of more acoustic renditions that included Love Songs and Space (with Joolz making a welcome appearance on the narrative). But it was the last hour-and-a-half of the Saturday night that they moved up several gears and really rocked – Island, Christian Militia, The Hunt, Get Me Out, Here Comes The War, Purity, 225, I Love The World and of course No Rest… plus 2 great encores including the emotive ballad Marrakesh. If I’ve half the fury and passion when I’m in my fifties that Justin has, bouncing about the stage, I’ll be a happy man!

A fantastic couple of nights, sharing in the creative energy of a band that have long been forgotten by the majority in this country, which remains a travesty to say the least. But when I looked about the audience there were plenty of early-twenty-somethings moshing about. So maybe time will redeem New Model Army as one of those great British rock bands. Though, I’m guessing they wouldn’t want to be labelled as such anyhow!