Remember when Buzzcocks shook up Brighton!

The Buzzcocks

Buzzcocks: The momentous, energetic opening from the Buzzcocks set the bar pretty damn high for the rest of the set!

Buzzcocks: November 2016

It was time for the main course on the musical menu tonight. Buzzcocks founding member Pete Shelley and fellow vocalist/guitarist Steve Diggle took centre stage along with Chris Remington on bass guitar and Danny Farrant on the sticks.

Buzzcocks are tight and loud!

Firstly, make no mistake, Buzzcocks are tight and loud as they come! If the age of the two main characters means they don’t jump around like they did back in the day, they still know how to put on a storming, fist pumping, moshing pogo of a show. The show is geared to please the older members of the audience, and there were a few of us, and show younger members how it should be done. That saying Mr Diggle showed his playing skills, vocals and managed to pull off a few rock guitar poses and moves!

Pete Shelley

And yes, I know, its the older songs people have come to the Concorde 2 to hear, but they put out a superb album in 2014 “The Way”, which earned the band some great reviews. A few of the songs from that album made the set list here, including the title track, People Are Strange Machines and Chasing Rainbows/Modern Times. These songs went down well with the crowd.

Steve Diggle

But it’s the old stuff that fires up the audience into a frenzy, and I noted this included a number of fans who may not have been around when the band split in 1981, or even when the Buzzcocks reformed eight years later! A cool crowd indeed. The selection of songs on the night are chosen to pick out and feature the band’s greatest hits, but they also serve to showcase the many different sides to Buzzcocks and their inspiring song-writing capabilities.

40 years of Buzzcocks history

Buzzcocks delivered with a stunning level of stamina considering both are beyond their former youthful selves. Many bands on the 40th Punk anniversary could have simply gone through the motions. Not so for Shelley and Diggle, with both making an effort, whilst making it look effortless, to fire at us song after song without losing any of their power or indeed zest. Mr Diggle seems to have taken on the role as the band’s frontman for this show and actually for most of the set. Constantly seen lifting his guitar and, smiling from ear to ear, fist-pumping the Concorde 2 audience. He seemed to relish shredding his guitar whenever he could. An awesome display Steve. Pete Shelley seemed to take more of a unassuming lead role, but from time to time reached out to the audience or taking some time to introduce a song or provide some commentary from the last 40 years of Buzzcocks history.

They put in an hour and 20 minute main set. Fantastic! The band did not stop, scarcely pausing for breath, before firing at us with an encore including the wonderful Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) and the closing Orgasm Addict. This was indeed a show-stopping finale that inspired crowd members to pogo, mosh, launch water into the air and barge onto the stage! A great rockin punk show Buzzcocks!

Grabbed a few words with Peter after the show, towel over his shoulder, his black T soaked with sweat and water. He was looking thrilled at how the night had gone and doing what he seems to love – playing music for a live audience. Chatted about the show and the newest album “The Way”, which I had just purchased and was signed up. Thank you Peter, a gentleman, a legend.

The RPMS

Brightons own RPMS were the guests for the opening slot for the Buzzcocks. I saw The RPMS supporting The Sherlocks, and as usual the guys worked and played hard, sadly the lighting and a smoke machine on overdrive hid this fine band from view for much of the set – BUT they sounded great!. I have written many words about The RPMs, and taken even more photos, but they are so fresh and damned likeable, every time I see them its like the first time.

I always leave wanting to have seen more of this fine band. They write a darned good song and the three of them fill the stage with their presence, abilities and talent. Never a note out of place and considering the different audience make up for this event, a punk’d crowd, Jack got the crowd to buy in. The protest signs came out for “I Dont Like It” and someone promptly ran off with one, however being over 6 ft long it was easily spotted and retrieved! The RPMs are a breath of fresh air on the scene. They have already notched up some pretty big gigs and they have more to come, and a new EP being recorded. Go see these guys whilst you can! Well played RPMs!

All photos/words are copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS and Scene Sussex. If any of the artists or venues require any of these photos, or more if available, please get in touch.

Sincerest thanks to

The Buzzcocks
The RPMS
Steve Parter

One Inch Badge – A damn fine promoter of live music on the web
Staff and crew and Concorde 2

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