Primal Scream at Outernet Live

Remember the Astoria? An icon of live music, it was the central London venue for gigs; some fans here tonight may have been there themselves before it was sadly steamrollered for the Elizabeth line.

In its place is a glitzy new entertainment district, including Outernet Live, where Primal Scream are continuing celebrations of their beloved 2000 album XTRMNTR, following last year’s 25^th anniversary performance at the Roundhouse.

The band walk on, and frontman Bobby Gillespie – who has to be commended for making leather trousers look immeasurably cool – casually asks the room in his thick Glaswegian brogue: “Alright, London? You ready for this?”

They might be best known for Screamadelica’s seminal trip, and their bluesy singles, yet this album provides a friendly (and full-throttle) reminder that wall-of-noise industrial rock is just as integral to Primal Scream’s wide musical arsenal. The set begins with the screeching guitar of Andrew Innes for XTRMNTR’s opening track Kill All Hippies, commencing an hour of foundation-rumbling rock, accompanied by intense lighting and on-screen visuals. HERE at Outernet proves itself more than capable of handling it all.

Much like the album, it’s a powerful set musically and politically, best exemplified in Swastika Eyes – the first version thunders through with lyrics flashing behind the band, ending with the projected message: “Stop genocide, end apartheid, free Palestine.” Reappearing for the Chemical Brothers remix later in the set, this time it’s a harrowing backdrop of war imagery, a striking contrast to the remix’s smoother electronics, yet finishing again with another large projection: “Our government is complicit in genocide.” Both receive rapturous applause.

Primal Scream are truly on form, tightly locked in as Gillespie nonchalantly strolls back and forth, willing the slightly lukewarm crowd to keep going (bear in mind, it is Tuesday). There’s a little mumbling chatter between songs, but his trademark sneering vocals are crystal clear. Except on instrumental tracks Blood Money and MBV Arkestra (If They Move Kill ‘Em), of course, for which he walks off to allow the rest of the band to have their moment. There’s a moment to breathe with Keep Your Dreams’ light trippiness, but it’s back in business by the raucous album closer Shoot Speed/Kill Light, after which Gillespie says his thanks and adds, “That’s XTRMNTR finished – if you want more, you know what to do…”

Now for an extended encore, with the Outernet Live crowd warmed up for the final stretch, beginning with the shuffling Kowalski. Gillespie’s warmed up as well, dubbing the audience the London Community Pagan Gospel Choir for the jubilant Movin’ On Up and teaching them “an old Glasgow folk song” during Country Girl, to the tune of “here we fucking go!” What else could close the show but Rocks, a stomping finale providing one more euphoric rush before Gillespie invites the crowd to do it all again tomorrow, same time, same place.

That was fun, wasn’t it? XTRMNTR’s ferocity and an exhilarating encore leave fans spilling into the night in an elated buzz – proof that Primal Scream have fine-tuned the art of a good time, loaded or not.

Gem Hurley
Photos: Miguel de Melo

For further information and future events, visit Primal Scream’s website here.

Watch the video for Kill All Hippies here: