Wire, gig review: 'There is still a dissatisfied itch to bassist Graham Lewis’ words'
Lexington, London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The ceiling fans struggle to push the air around the sort of rammed pub upper room bands of Wire’s stature rarely visit. But in a 37-year career, including two breaks inevitable for a group its singer and co-songwriter Colin Newman characterises as prone to “psychic warfare”, Wire have fought furiously to avoid rock normality.
“They don’t sound as weird as they used to,” comments a woman who has randomly entered the pub tonight with strong memories of their debut Pink Flag’s strangeness in punk 1977. The loop of their influence means that “Adore Your Island”, from last year’s Change Becomes Us, recalls the Wire-inspired Blur.
But the way Newman’s voice sinks sadly at the end of “As We Go”’s passages of choppy, chiming guitar, like “Swallow”’s feedback-flecked, rainbow-arc finish, remains singular. “Stealth of a Stork"’s stealthy riff triggers sporadic pogoing, while Newman’s tribal wail during the dragging, heavy “Harpooned” gets a more sensual response from some female dancers.
Tagged as post-punk because they quickly shed punk’s constricting chrysalis, Wire are psychedelically expansive too. There is still a querulous, dissatisfied itch to bassist Graham Lewis’s words as Newman sings them. Their business is unfinished.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments