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Buzzcocks review – Manchester punk pioneers thrill hometown crowd Buzzcocks review – Manchester punk pioneers thrill hometown crowd
(about 4 hours later)
Few British groups have managed such a run of perfect pop singles as the Buzzcocks between 1977 and 1981. Mostly clocking in at under three minutes, their much-loved hits showed that lyrics about doomed love affairs, suicidal feelings, the state of the modern world and masturbation could sound unutterably thrilling if they were delivered with buzzsaw guitars and head-rushing melodies.Few British groups have managed such a run of perfect pop singles as the Buzzcocks between 1977 and 1981. Mostly clocking in at under three minutes, their much-loved hits showed that lyrics about doomed love affairs, suicidal feelings, the state of the modern world and masturbation could sound unutterably thrilling if they were delivered with buzzsaw guitars and head-rushing melodies.
However, the declaration by Manchester punk pioneers that they were making “nostalgia for an age yet to come” presumably didn’t mean they’d be playing those tunes 35 years later, with two original members, beer bellies and thinning thatches. Now 59, frontman Pete Shelley has more (grey) hair on his chin than on his bonce; even ageless guitarist Steve Diggle finally has a bald patch. But perhaps turning into your own living picture of Dorian Gray is a price worth paying if the songs have the elixir of eternal youth. However, the declaration by Manchester punk pioneers that they were making “nostalgia for an age yet to come” presumably didn’t mean they’d be playing those tunes 35 years later, with two original members, beer bellies and thinning thatches. Now 59, frontman Pete Shelley has more (grey) hair on his chin than on his bonce; even ageless guitarist Steve Diggle finally has a bald patch. But perhaps turning into a living picture of Dorian Gray is a price worth paying if the songs have the elixir of eternal youth.
One after another they hurtle, often only Diggle’s breathless “1-2-3-fuh!” introductions separating one song from another. Nostalgia itself is wisely unplayed, although People Are Strange Machines, about social media, and The Way don’t prompt the usual exodus from the venue when vintage bands unveil new songs.One after another they hurtle, often only Diggle’s breathless “1-2-3-fuh!” introductions separating one song from another. Nostalgia itself is wisely unplayed, although People Are Strange Machines, about social media, and The Way don’t prompt the usual exodus from the venue when vintage bands unveil new songs.
At times, however, their legacy requires more careful handling: some songs are a wall of noise, and a hyperactive Diggle is so busy holding his guitar aloft that he forgets the beautiful counter-melody in You Say You Don’t Love Me. Still, the 1978 abandonment anthem, Nothing Left, sounds thrillingly raw and electric. At times, however, their legacy requires more careful handling: some songs are a wall of noise, and a hyperactive Diggle is so busy holding his guitar aloft that he forgets the beautiful countermelody in You Say You Don’t Love Me. Still, the 1978 abandonment anthem, Nothing Left, sounds thrillingly raw and electric.
Playing all their great songs would presumably require oxygen, but a 22-strong salvo ends with six timeless singles in a row. As the feverish hometown crowd roar along to only slightly ragged renditions of Promises, Ever Fallen in Love and the rest for the umpteenth time, it seems churlish to ask, whatever happened to?Playing all their great songs would presumably require oxygen, but a 22-strong salvo ends with six timeless singles in a row. As the feverish hometown crowd roar along to only slightly ragged renditions of Promises, Ever Fallen in Love and the rest for the umpteenth time, it seems churlish to ask, whatever happened to?
• At O2 Academy, Leeds, on 8 October. Box office: 0844 477 2000. Then touring until 18 October. Details: buzzcocks.com.• At O2 Academy, Leeds, on 8 October. Box office: 0844 477 2000. Then touring until 18 October. Details: buzzcocks.com.