Brett Anderson launched his semi-autobiographical album at a sold out and intimate RTE in-store event, a record which he describes as “more raw, a little bit more angry, a little bit more nasty…our punk record.” He was joined by Suede’s other founding members Matt Osman (bass) and Simon Gilbert (drums). The launch was a warm-up ahead of the band’s two sold out Electric Ballroom shows and other sold out tour dates.
They performed the entire album minus one track in listing order, starting on the singles, ‘She Still Leads Me On’, inspired by his late mother, and ‘15 Again’ – a triumphant Britpop song with flavours of Killing Joke. They continued with the punk theme, Anderson jumping up and goading the audience, “What is this a fucking tea party?!” in the style of Johnny Rotten.
He cooled the mood down with a poignant solo keyboard track, ‘Drive Myself Home’, before the heavy beat of ‘Black Ice’; Richard Oakes’ guitar riffs haunting behind the scenes. They then performed what Anderson described as his “love song for the audience”, ‘What Am I Without You?’, passionately coming off the stage into the crowd to sing with fans.
16/09/22: Suede @ Rough Trade East, London.
Photo © Ayisha Khan.
© Ayisha Khan.