From the blissed-out hedonism of Screamadelica to the razor-edged fury of XTRMNTR, Primal Scream have carved out a legacy of defiance and dance. Their shape-shifting sound and emotional heft welcomes to the stage…
PRIMAL SCREAM
You know it’s going to be one of those nights the second you walk through the doors. It is rammed to the rafters with a glorious mix of ages, subcultures and band tees; from My Bloody Valentine to The Fall, it’s a full-spectrum crowd here for a full-throttle show.
Baxter Dury struts onstage like he owns the place – and we can confirm the crowd were rightfully receptive to this righteous attitude. Jacket flapping and smirk intact, he delivers a set that’s equal parts sleaze, swagger and sardonic genius. Tracks like Almond Milk and Alberone hit hard – sharp, synthy and full of lyrical bite – and he’s got the crowd moving and grinning in equal measure. What should technically be a support slot has easily migrated into co-headline territory.
To the sweet strains of What the World Needs Now Is Love, it’s Primal Scream time. Bobby Gillespie appears in a crisp white tux jacket like a psychedelic preacher, and the place erupts. From the first notes of Don’t Fight It, Feel It, it’s pure fire. They waste no time launching into a savage triple-threat of Love Insurrection and Jailbird, each one hitting harder than the last. Bobby has still got that impeccable presence. Cool, commanding, effortlessly iconic.
Behind him, the kick drum bears the face of his late father, trade unionist Bob Gillespie, a poignant touch that anchors Come Ahead’s political punch in something deeply personal. That balance between the macro and the intimate has always been Primal Scream’s superpower, and tonight it pulses through every note.
“Nottingham – you’ve been good to us tonight! The city of rock is before us!”
The new material slips into the set like it’s always been there: big grooves and sharper messages delivered with serious intent. Yet it’s the classics that take things into orbit. Loaded drops and the reaction is nuclear; you feel it deep in your bones. The beat, the bass, the blissed-out chaos of it all, swooping effortlessly into the setlist artillery of Swastika Eyes, Movin’ On Up and Country Girl in rapid succession. Any one of those would close out most gigs. Here? Just another moment in a set that’s reaching for the stars.
Come Together aptly burrows its way into our ears and hearts, and the room becomes one. Arms in the air, voices raised, Bobby grinning as he hands the mic to the crowd. Proper Rock City magic. They finish, of course, with Rocks. It’s gritty, it’s glorious, and it turns the place into a riot. A hymn to hedonism in the face of it all, because what else can you do but dance through the dark?
As the final chords ring out and the band take their bows, sweat-soaked and smiling, we’re reminded why live music matters so much. It’s loud, it’s raw, it’s human. And tonight, Primal Scream didn’t just play Rock City – they set it on fire.
PRIMAL SCREAM PERFORMED SATURDAY 12TH APRIL
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. Give it up for Primal Scream!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like Primal Scream are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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