Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Bombay Bicycle Club
Bombay Bicycle Club are an English indie rock band from Crouch End, London, consisting of Jack Steadman (lead vocals, guitar and piano), Jamie MacColl (guitar), Suren de Saram (drums), and Ed Nash (bass). They are guitar-fronted and have experimented with different genres, including folk, electronica, world music and indie rock. The band were given the opening slot on 2006’s V Festival after winning a competition. They subsequently released two EPs and their debut single “Evening/Morning”. Since then, the band has released four albums including So Long, See You Tomorrow which topped the album charts in February 2014.[4] The band has toured worldwide as a headlining act, playing North America, Australia, Europe and Asia.
Jack Steadman: Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
In January 2019, Bombay Bicycle Club announced their return to making new music and performing live after a three-year hiatus: “Since late last year we’ve been getting back into the swing of playing music together. More than anything it just felt great to be in the same room playing again. It made us realise what a good thing we have and has given us renewed energy and enthusiasm for the future“.This tour is to promote their newest music, an album release – Everything Else Has Gone Wrong.
Bombay Bicycle Club: The Band…
Jack Steadman, lead vocals and guitar
Jack Steadman: Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Jamie MacColl on guitars and vocals
Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Ed Nash on bass guitars and vocals
Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Suren de Saram on drums
Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Great to see the guys are still all together and giving that original sound and still with the original line-up.
The Set:
I had kinda missed out on these guys, I can offer no reasons as to how that happened. And judging by the crowd I was probably the only one out of 4,800 people in a sold out Brighton Centre who could claim that. I know that Brighton loves these guys as some of their last gigs in the city are remembered fondly. And so The Bombay Bicycle Club are back after their hiatus and subsequent solo projects.
Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Eat, Sleep, Wake fired off the night. This seemed to be a great opener witnessing the crowds reaction, arms up, mobile phones up and many fans singing back every word to this one. I had managed a sneak peek at the set list and so that has managed to fill in some of the songs I didn’t recognise. Is It Real and Overdone followed up. The guys seemed genuinely surprised to see the initial reaction from the packed in crowd. The response, in particular to Overdone, showed the jubilant fans really letting it all go.
Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
In the picture above you can see the band has expanded slightly with the addition of keys and vocals. Liz Lawrence was part of the team and we had enjoyed a short solo set from her earlier in the evening. I always admire the lone guitar player hitting the vast stage to play. Liz had some top tunes and shared her vocal skills for her set and then later with the Bombay Bicycle Club.
Liz Lawrence – vocals and guitars
Liz Lawrence: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
The stage filled up even more as a brass section joined the band on stage. Feel, I Can Hardly Speak and I Worry About You were next up. The sound was top notch. The volume was perfectly pitched so you could hear every word and every instrument including the subtle nuances to the intestine shaking bass guitar riffs.
Bombay Bicycle Club: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
An instant crowd rouser, a classic fan favourite from the first album seemed to shake the building. I tweeted out after the gig I was pretty sure the Brighton Centre had just moved 3 inches nearer the sea! The track that inspired the frenzy was Cancel on Me. The lighting was super sharp and the backdrops were totally on point and helped with the whole atmosphere being generated tonight. Evening/Morning, was in there and the bass lines, fills and riffs seemed to have been stretched out for our benefit. Extraordinary slot from Ed Nash. Also a shout to the man at the back. Normally the drummer is out of sight – not tonight perched up high, Suren de Saram on the drum kit.
And those songs with catchy guitar riffs seeing Jamie and Jack almost having a battle of guitars. An inspiring display gents. The song choruses which it seemed nearly everybody knew all stirred up with at times chilled beats. The guys had promised a selection of material going back and a mix of newer material. Sometimes you go to a gig and “its time for a new one” doesnt sit well, not with these guys. Everyone seemed to know everything!
A stunning set of almost 90 minutes when the guys stepped forward said thanks and took a well earned bow. But…. Brighton was not going to let them away that easy, oh no. The cacophony of shouts and cheers was deafening…
And Finally…
The band returned thankfully or there may well have been a mini riot! They hit us with their new single Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, and the belting monster Always Like This was the finale.
Well played Bombay Bicycle Club. You had me by the second song. I was not only totally carried away by what you were doing, but also what your crowd were doing. They were having the time of their lives and it rubbed off on me. There seemed to be almost a symbiotic link with the band and the 4800 strong crowd. I may have been the only one who didnt know all the lyrics. It didnt matter the crowd pulled me in. That is something special.
Thank you Bombay Bicycle Club.
Keep up to date with the band here.
Guests: The Big Moon
The Big Moon are a London four-piece band formed in 2014 by Juliette Jackson.Their debut album, Love in the 4th Dimension, was released on 6 April 2017, containing a number of singles previously released on their EP, The Road. The album was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2017. The band is signed to Fiction Records and have toured internationally. They supported the Pixies on their 2019 UK tour. 2020 sees the band touring with Bombay Bicycle Club and then later in the year their own tour.
These guys have quite a large fanbase at The Brighton Centre who all seemed to enjoy the short 30 minute set.
A terrific guest slot choice as these guys poured out some fabulous tunes to go with the launch of their new album. Sucker opened proceedings from the well received first album. We also had wouldn’t change my mind and the brilliant Don’t Think. There is a wonderful formula at playing tonight. We have guitars and drums, and super lyrics. These guys have so much light/shade and dark delivering damn catchy tunes and then they can tear it up through some of your 90s and ‘00s indie sounds.
Their final song, Your Light, from the latest album, Walking Like We Do, was a great finish to the set.
Including Praise You as a cover of Brighton based Fatboy Slim was a master-stroke and had the now pretty full concert venue dancing their way through the song. Well played The Big Moon, I have to say you delivered a delightful live show. Hope we see you back in the city soon!
Keep up to date with The Big Moon here – and keep an eye out for a return visit. I heard a rumour that it might be sooner than we could possibly wish for!
Thanks to the fabulous team at The Brighton Center.
Thanks to the Brighton and Hove music team.
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