THE ROUNDHOUSE, LONDON 20/5/17
With the critically acclaimed new album ‘World Be Gone’ riding high in the UK album charts, Erasure tonight performed a sold-out show at London’s iconic Roundhouse, concluding a three date mini-tour and warming Vince Clarke and Andy Bell up nicely for support slots on Robbie Williams’ tour and their own shows in 2018.
To the familiar opening notes of their 1992 hit single ‘Breath Of Life’, Clarke, Bell and their longstanding backing singers Valerie and Emma opened the gig storming through this fan favourite with aplomb. Ever the showman, Andy Bell tonight took to the stage in a glittery outfit complete with a lavender cowboy hat. Tonight he sang each and every track beautifully, performing as gloriously as any point in his career throughout the show. Vince tonight appeared more relaxed, and more animated than usual, standing high up on a stage riser surrounded by his synth and computer consoles, clearly enjoying the show and the reaction of the audience.
The crowd were out to party their way to the end of the Bank Holiday and so the more upbeat and well-known tracks typically received the most rapturous response. Arriving just a few weeks after the release of ‘World Be Gone’, the more thoughtful tracks from that album gave the audience reason to pause, being less familiar but also among the most mature and complex songs Erasure have ever delivered.
Highlights of the show included ‘Phantom Bride’ from their landmark 1988 album ‘The Innocents’, which received a glossy reworking from its original structure. Newer tracks sounded impressive against the older classics, including the dark, icy, vaguely Goldfrapp-esque ‘Oh What A World’, a track full of drama heightened by its analogue synth sounds and robotic vocal delivery.
With each of the older tracks receiving subtle embellishments or a complete reworking, this made for a stunning Erasure show. It was with whoops of delight and hands in the air all around when the infectious, irrepressible classic ‘A Little Respect’ started, the place erupting with joy as they sent this enduring pop duo on their way.
THE ROUNDHOUSE, LONDON 20/5/17
Breath of Life / Drama! / It Doesn’t Have to Be / Love You to the Sky / Oh L’Amour / Chorus / Oh What a World / Just a Little Love / Blue Savannah / In My Arms / Sweet Summer Loving / Knocking on Your Door / Love to Hate You / Sometimes / Still It’s Not Over / Phantom Bride / Here I Go Impossible Again / Stop! / Chains of Love / Always / World Be Gone / Lousy Sum of Nothing / Take Me Out of Myself / Chains of Love / Victim of Love / A Little Respect
Review & Photographs: Andy Sturmey.
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[five-star-rating]