The Icicle Works at Birmingham Academy 2 - concert review
"It's good to see so many people here for a band that hasn't had a hit record in 27 years," quips Ian McNabb as he surveys a near capacity crowd packed inside Birmingham's Academy 2.
The Icicle Works,
Birmingham Academy 2,
"It's good to see so many people here for a band that hasn't had a hit record in 27 years," quips Ian McNabb as he surveys a near capacity crowd packed inside Birmingham's Academy 2.
True, the ice-cool indie kids of the early 80s now resemble the TopGear studio audience, but at least their musical taste has stood the test of time.
One or two even dragged along stroppy teenage types who gradually shook off initial apathy to see just what all the fuss is all about.
Opening with anthemic When It All Comes Down and Evangeline set the high standard for the night, as delighted fans called out requests for the band's trademark jangly guitar epics.
They weren't disappointed as McNabb cherry-picked his way through the band's brilliant back catalogue with the delicate air of a man handling fragile ancient manuscripts.
In truth, the two-hour-plus set sagged a little in the middle with a couple of more obscure album tracks.
But raucous encores of Understanding Jane, Love is a Wonderful Colour and the still sublime Hollow Horse topped off a memorable night and simply reaffirmed The Icicle Works as one of Britain's lost musical treasures.
Review by Keith Harrison. Agree with Keith? Post your own review by using the reply form below.
