11 February 2007 (gig)
06 March 2007
PUNK legends the Buzzcocks showed the kids at 53 degrees what punk is, and reminded a few parents.
The latest line-up of the Manchester foursome (Pete Shelley, Steve Diggle, Tony Barber, Danny Farrent) gave a flawless performance, bar a few token technical hitches, and proved that age isn’t a boundary in the music world with old and new fans singing along with enthusiasm.
Classic tracks such as 'No Reply', 'What Do I Get?' and 'Boredom' had the crowd jumping around like any punk gig of yesteryear, but there was an explosion of excitement when the iconic 'Ever Fallen In Love?' thundered out of the speakers.
The band formed in 1975 and despite their age, moved as if they were 20 years younger and in their prime, giving a few new alternative bands something to aspire to.
Pete Shelley’s vocals, nasal as ever teenage angst-ridden as ever perfectly complimented Steve Diggle’s guitar work, and the band seemed to be enjoying themselves, with smirky looks being exchanged throughout.
The screens, as well as reminding people that they were, in fact, watching the Buzzcocks live on stage, served to deliver political statements, particularly relating to Iraq, such as: 'There is no sub-version', 'Success is only temporary', 'Vietnam, Iraq, Who’s next? North Korea, France, Britain.'
Since re-forming in 1989 the band has toured with the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and released their eighth studio album in March last year. As they left the stage Shelley shouted: 'See you in another 25 years', and let’s hope we do.
