10 May 2025 (gig)
12 May 2025
The Monochrome Set's career trajectory has been anything but linear. Since their 1978 "B-Sides" remnants, they have experienced periods of inactivity, reformation, and dissolution; yet, nearly 50 years later, founding members Bid and Andy Warren maintain this enduring legacy.
Tonight's performance marks the 40th anniversary of "The Lost Weekend," an album widely considered their magnum opus. The sold-out event reflects considerable anticipation for a complete album performance, featuring special guest guitarist James "Foz" Foster, who contributed to the original recording and album art.
The Lexington venue provides an ideal setting, with American whiskeys and beers downstairs and a dedicated upstairs music space. The Monochrome Set's performance schedule includes a brief 30-minute set followed by the full album. As they take the stage, Bid, Andy, keyboardist Athen Ayren, and newest member Stephen Gilchrist (formerly of Graham Coxon's band) are greeted by enthusiastic applause. Unlike many bands of their era, TMS attracts a diverse audience, encompassing both younger fans and dedicated followers spanning decades. Their eponymous song opens the set, followed by a crowd-requested Alphaville cover, which the band readily performs. Andy's anecdotal interludes, while perhaps embellished, elicit laughter from the audience, particularly his account of Tony Potts' (allegedly) ticketless train expulsion in Hereford and subsequent walk home to Wales. The set concludes with the live debut of "Inside Your Heart," their first recorded song, predating the band's formation.
The band returns with special guest Foz. Andy recounts a humorous (and possibly apocryphal) tale of tracking him down in Brighton by visiting every pub, when finally finding him, Foz's attempted escape required Bid to chase and restrain him. Foz takes the stage with his Teisco Spectrum 5 guitar, and somehow manages to unplug it, resulting in a brief, amusing, technical mishap during "Jacob's Ladder," eliciting a rare smile from Andy. Foz's guitar work restores a dimension missing since the band transitioned from lead guitar to keyboards, creating their signature shimmering sound while the rhythm section provides a steady, understated foundation. Andy's bass playing is notably skillful, he is one of the most underrated bass players of his generation.
The tango-influenced "Cargo" was a standout performance, as was "Don't Touch," a narrative of hero worship culminating in a disappointing encounter with an anonymous celebrity. Bid's distinctive vocal style and the band's signature blend of post-punk and jangle-pop resonated with the enthusiastic audience. My personal highlight was "Cowboy Country," a structurally simple song enhanced by Bid's lyrics, showcasing his uniquely quirky worldview.
Bid's watch stopped mid-set, but reassured by crowd that there was a fifteen-minute buffer before curfew, the band returned for an encore. Foz led with the B-side of "Jacob's Ladder," his Sergio Leone influenced, "Andiamo,". Several popular tracks followed before concluding with the acclaimed fan favorite, "Love Goes Down the Drain."
The Monochrome Set's sound is distinctive; while they have influenced numerous bands, including The Smiths, they defy categorization and are exceptionally difficult to define precisely. Their unique blend of humorous ( often “end of the pier” ) and intelligent lyrics, combined with a diverse range of musical influences, creates an idiosyncratic sonic tapestry. For longtime fans, the performance offered a welcome opportunity to experience one of their finest albums in full. For newcomers, it served as an engaging introduction to a band that has consistently cultivated its own distinctive niche in the music industry. The band are clearly enjoying themselves and show no signs of retirement, indeed new material is waiting in the wings.
The band's lasting appeal and the venue's welcoming atmosphere, and margaritas, contributed to a something very special. The campaign to make this band a National Treasure starts here.
