If there’s one thing that Mancunians know a thing or two about it’s melodic indie-pop. Herman’s Hermits, The Smiths, New Order, The Stone Roses, James, Puressence – you get the gist. There’s a heritage.
It’s certainly not an audience to take kindly to a bunch of well-spoken mincers coming up from that there London to sell coals to Newcastle (or chords to Manchester). But within seconds of The Bluetones stepping onstage at the Manchester Ritz, it’s evident that the natives f**king adore the boys from Hounslow.
It’s been like that since their 90s heyday, and not just the Mancs. The success of their 2011 farewell tour was a testament to the long-standing affection that many still have for Mark Morriss, Adam Devlin, Scott Morriss and Eds Chesters. Their current Jukebox Tour is exactly that – a celebration of their sparkling back-catalogue.
Hearing the likes of Are You Blue Or Are You Blind?, Cut Some Rug, The Fountainhead, Bluetonic, Tiger Lily, Solomon Bites The Worm and Slight Return back to back reminds you just how skilled The Bluetones were/are at producing jangly pop perfection.
Although, that suggests a fluffiness which doesn’t quite do them justice. The Bluetones were never merely ‘nice’. There was always an underlying darkness to their work. The melodies may have been luscious and Morriss’ delivery sweet to the ear, but even their more tender sentiments were an inch away from snarky bitterness.
What the Jukebox setlist showcases is the band’s sheer prolificacy at producing melodic gems with biting lyrics. Were Devlin a little less self-effacing and bit more showy, he’d perhaps receive something like the hero-worship his brilliance deserves. Mark Morriss remains as witty and charming between songs as he is during them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW8JG7om3i8
This may be a ‘Best of…’ gig, but it doesn’t have the feel of a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Nothing sounds remotely dated. The Bluetones may have coincided with the 90s Britpop era, but they never really felt part of it; they were outside of the Ocean Kula Seven bubble that was partly-nostalgia even back then.
The Bluetones still sound fresh and relevant, and the prevailing sense is not that this is a band that once had their day – it’s that we’re crying out for more than a slight return. There are lots of fine bands out there – including support act The Standard Lamps – but few can hold a candle to the irresistible tunes, and almost Manc swagger, of the melodic mincers from West London.
