My Bloody Valentine, live at Hammersmith Apollo, London

Shane MacGowan gave Hammersmith Broadway a warm mention on the first Pogues single ‘Dark Streets Of London.’ The omnipresent lilt of Irish accents can clearly be heard in the pubs and streets near the legendary Apollo, where David Bowie famously played an emotionally-charged final show as Ziggy Stardust.

Fortunately, it turns out to be well worth the trip for numerous MBV fans who’ve made the short pilgrimage as the sound is far clearer than the band’s initial comeback shows across town in Camden’s Roundhouse in June 2008.
A new keyboard-player called Jen Marco compliments the elegant dream pop of ‘New You’, easily the Valentines’ most radio friendly moment to date.
Kevin Shields always gets the majority share of the plaudits, but live the Valentines’ secret weapon really is the band’s other Dubliner and past pupil of Coláiste Eoin, Colm Ó Cíosóig. The Isn’t Anything track ‘Nothing Much To Lose’ spectacularly showcases the awesome extent of his percussive prowess.
The only mild complaint is that you’d expect much more material from the new album than a paltry three songs. Hopefully more newbies will creep into the set-list over time.
The bottom line is that the Valentines are back in raucous live business and business is sounding very, very good. Now, all Kevin and Colm have to do is bring it all back home.