pop
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 new Siouxsie and the Banshees album is a very smooth affair, which you can look at as a good or a bad thing. If they feel creaky in their bones now that they are up to their eleventh long-player, the sleek production (handled by Velvet Undergr ound man John Cale) masks it well.
The downside is that fans might feel a bit cheated by the commercialism-at-all-costs approach. The single "Oh Baby" opens The Rapture album and is as glammy and poppy and sweet-natured as they could get it. And that goes for the next few tracks, all Top 30-pleasing, fine-tuned melodies that, if you've heard them once, you've heard them a dozen times. It's not punk rock but, hell, in their defence, they have other priorities. And the Banshees kept afloat in the Seventies and Eighties while practically all of their contemporaries died at least one death. They survived because they're realistic. Which means that to ride the cutting edge would be to cut themselves adrift at this 19th-year stage of the game. Better to be slagged off for being pop sluts than be ignored completely.
The break after 1991's Superstition was obviously a good move. Oh yes, they wrote "Face to Face" for the Batman Returns movie, released a singles package and Siouxsie (right) duetted with Morrissey on a minor hit, but none of that counts as full employment, does it? Last year's Grand show and Reading Festival appearance proved their pulling power is still strong, so as for this weekend, oh come, all ye faithful.
Siouxsie and the Banshees, Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12 (081-740 7474) tonight and Sat. See listings for details
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments