On the first night of Suede’s three-date stint in Dublin, during which they will play their classic first three albums in full, Brett Anderson means business. As Simon Gilbert strikes up the opening drum beat of ‘So Young’, the frontman strides out onstage, takes the mic and launches into the song, a bittersweet ode to youthful hedonism. Pretty soon, he’s assumed the iconic pose – foot-on-monitor, bouncing up and down, pointing at the crowd – that was such a striking feature on the ’90s musical landscape.
Anderson was never one for matey banter and tonight, as ever, it’s all about punk energy and snarling attitude. No sooner have the band finished the opener, than guitarist Richard Oakes is blasting out the familiar opening riff of ‘Animal Nitrate’, one of the greatest singles of the ’90s. Naturally, the place goes absolutely apeshit and the singalongs during the choruses nearly take the roof off
the venue.
As the band work their way through the set, you’re reminded that their self-titled first record was one hell of a calling card – right up there as one of the all-time great debuts by any indie band. The balance between delicate ballads and blazing rockers is perfect, and Anderson’s inspired lyrics – bohemian rhapsodies of sexual innuendo, drugged up headiness and provincial alienation –
still excite.
There’s another mass singalong during ‘The Drowners’, Anderson jumping down to the barrier and reaching out to the crowd, while the medicated haze of ‘Sleeping Pills’ and ‘Breakdown’ gives way to the scintillating, euphoric ‘Metal Mickey’. Returning for the encore, Suede treat us to the classic B-sides ‘My Insatiable One’ and ‘To The Birds’, before delivering the knockout punch with the glam-pop gems ‘Trash’ and ‘Beautiful Ones’.
In a word – magnificent.