Good things come to those who wait and UK band Echo & The Bunnymen has proven that in 2014. As a mainstay in the alternative/new wave scene of the 1980’s, the band returns with their first studio album in five years titled Meteorites along with fourteen select North American tour dates. Igniting excitement of adoring fans, the result was overwhelming ticket sales and Echo & The Bunnymen’s highest US charted album since 1987. On the tail end of the cool August trek, two shows were slated for New York City at Irving Plaza on the 16th and 17th. Selling out the opening Saturday night show within mere weeks, the crowd lined up early on the sidewalk outside the venue anxious to get inside to find a spot to watch the performance.
Warming up the audience early was singer-songwriter Mikky Ekko. Crafting his style and sound over the years, Ekko has seen his name credited in a variety of mainstream songs including the Rihanna 2013 hit “Stay”. Taking to the stage with himself, a keyboardist, a guitarist, and drummer Ekko stroked the curiosity of spectators with a unique powerful voice and emotional delivery. Combining jazz and pop sounds, Ekko’s lyrics are catchy and vivid with songs like “Pull Me Down”. His ability to bring affectionate tones to the surface as he stood in front of a large crowd pouring out his soul was remarkable. Grateful to have the chance to perform this opening slot, Ekko played on with “Stay” and his new single “Smile”. This bright young talent is highly recommended as he rises in popularity.
After an intermission allowing everyone to mingle and unwind with a few drinks, Echo & The Bunnymen walked out to a roaring ovation. Led by founding members, vocalist Ian McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant, the dim warm lighting set the mood as they began with new song “Meteorites”. A somewhat somber tune, after the initial cheers, the room was completely silent as the audience enthralled themselves in the music. Taking everyone back in time, Echo & The Bunnymen went into their second single ever, “Rescue”, immediately pumping energy into the room as many danced and sang aloud. Mysterious behind his signature black sunglasses, McCulloch stood center stage singing passionately as Sergeant and the rest of the band provided a melodic deep instrumentation mirroring their studio recordings. Older tracks such as “Do It Clean”, “Never Stop”, and their unmistakable cover of The Doors “People Are Strange” kept the momentum going and interest high.
Wasting little time in between songs, McCulloch thanked the audience following with signs of appreciation for so many great years with more tunes such as “Seven Seas” and “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo”. Provoking memories of the classic unique sound Echo & The Bunnymen produced during the 1980’s with “All My Colours” and “Over the Wall”, their modern masterpieces were highlighted as well with the catchy “Holy Moses” and enchanting “Constantinople”. Hearing the new songs live for the first time was refreshing and justifies the universal opinion of fans that Meteorites could be the band’s best record in some time. As the set moved along at an even pace, the band laid out more songs followers had yearned to hear including “All That Jazz” and “Bring On the Dancing Horses” before going into a medley featuring another The Doors classic “Roadhouse Blues”. Captivating with each passing moment, the excitement level was picked up a notch with the spectacular guitar work of Sergeant on hits “The Killing Moon” and “The Cutter”. Easily two of the band’s most spun songs over the years, they still had a few tricks up their sleeve with an encore beginning with their 1997 single “Nothing Lasts Forever” flowing into a medley of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side”, Beatles “Don’t Let Me Down”, and Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour”. As McCulloch seamlessly moved through the words of each song paying homage to rock-n-roll’s past, it was delightful to be taken into the band’s vast influences. The encore concluded with an electrifying performance of “Lips Like Sugar” which had everyone moving, grooving, and wanting more. That is when the finale of a second encore wrapped the evening up with relaxing inviting “Ocean Rain”.
Echo & The Bunnymen put on a show that their fan base will never forget. Their music still sounds as lively as ever and their ability to recapture the feelings of each song is striking. It is all too often a band will simply tour for the sake of nostalgia, but the fact of the matter is Echo & The Bunnymen still have a lot to offer music with their broad discography and new album Meteorites. For many, this tour was a return into music that they call home, and for others a new experience that they hope they can revisit with a future Echo & The Bunnymen tour.
No comment