The Jesus and Mary Chain, founded by brothers Jim and William Reid in East Kilbride in the 1980s have become famous for their noisy, feedback-laden take on the Spector pop groups of the 1960s. Their melancholy sound and lyrics backed up with their ability to write anthemic sing-along riffs has of course made them extremely popular in their native Scotland.
A sold-out hometown show in the famed Barrowland Ballroom where they undertook the task of performing their highly acclaimed second album Darklands in full was a must-attend for thousands of fans, and after it had been rescheduled a few times, the atmosphere was full of anticipation.
Glasgow natives Spyres, an indie-rock 4 piece, provided an energetic opening set of simply soaring harmonies and a thunderous rhythm section, more than ably got the crowd ready and excited for the main event.
Upon taking to the stage, frontman Jim Reid announced that they would be performing two sets that evening, Darklands in its entirety as well as another filled with crowd pleasers and deep cuts alike, the band then took the audience on a journey, one that many fans had been waiting for. Stand out moments include fan favourite hits such as ‘April Skies’ and ‘Happy When It Rains’ and the explosive ‘Kill Surf City’.
Live, the band’s musicality prove that they have grown out of the chaos of their youth, whilst somehow also embracing it, giving the audience an unforgettable experience. Original fans revelled in nostalgia, singing along to the songs they grew up with, and newer fans simply enjoyed the timeless sound and genius songwriting.
