The gig as a whole didn’t come close to reaching such perfection, but was still an enjoyable evening. This was not a straightforward greatest hits set, and instead drew on several obscure numbers alongside the established big-hitters, such as Peaches, which sounded as triumphantly sleazy as ever, and a disappointingly tepid Golden Brown.
There were other highlights as compensation for that, though, notably in marvelling at Jet Black’s continued stoutness behind the drum kit, even aged 70, and Jean Jacques Burnel’s wonderful basslines, and glacier cool poses. Warne was more inconsistent, sometimes lacking Hugh Cornwell’s classic sneer in his voice, and not offering enough charisma for a frontman.
Matters did also stagnate after a fine opening 45 minutes that featured The Raven and the singalong pop burst of Always The Sun.
But the reminder still offered enough excitement, even leading to two fans eluding security and getting onstage, clearly reliving similar transgressions in their youth. The Stranglers remain an entertaining proposition in the present as well.
Picture House, Edinburgh
Jonathan Geddes
***
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