ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN // USHER HALL, EDINBURGH

EIGHTIES LEGENDS ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN BRING THE STARS, THE OCEANS AND THE MOON TOUR TO EDINBURGH

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN PERFORMING AT USHER HALL, EDINBURGH - 23.05.18 PICTURE: STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

★★★★★ 

Echo And The Bunnymen kicked off their The Stars, The Oceans And The Moon tour at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, to an eagerly awaiting audience.  The new album - due out later in the year - comprises a list of old classics, reworked and re recorded with an added string section, and tonight was a hint of what to expect.

Formed in 1978 in Liverpool, the band released their first album Crocodiles in 1980, closely followed by Heaven Up Here in 1981. But it wasn’t until the release of Porcupine in 1983 that the band hit chart success with 'The Back of Love' and 'The Cutter', establishing the band as one of the top British acts around in that decade. A run of ten consecutive top 40 singles followed before the band line-up was rehashed, with lead singer Ian McCulloch leaving for a period before returning in 1997. Tonight in Edinburgh sees McCulloch still leading the lineup, accompanied by fellow original member Will Sergeant on guitars.  

Opening number 'Nothing Lasts Forever' was their 1997 comeback single when McCulloch and Sergeant both re-joined the band, peaking in the UK chart at number 8.  'Lips Like Sugar', 'Rust', 'Bedbugs & Ballyhoo', 'Bring On The Dancing Horses' all followed as the evening progressed, but it wasn’t until 'Rescue', 'The Cutter' and 'Seven Seas' that the torch paper was lit and the somewhat subdued crowd suddenly came to life.  With 'How Far' and 'The Killing Moon', and the main set was done. After a short break off stage, the band returned to play 'Never Stop', before concluding the night with the title track from the 1984 album Ocean Rain.  

The large crowd assembled within the Usher Hall welcomed the rejigged and reworked classics, and the forthcoming album already looks like it will be a success.  The originals are all fantastic tunes, but the newly recorded takes are very interesting and work well live on stage with the addition of the string section.  The album - due in October 2018 - should be another hit for the band. All in all, a great evening in the acoustically sound venue, perfect choice for music of this quality.  

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN - UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

REVIEW + PHOTOS BY: STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

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