Legendary punk group The Stranglers get hard and heavy in Glasgow’s SEC for their landmark anniversary tour.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

One of the most notorious and enduring punk acts, The Stranglers were never anything but unique, talented and f***ing honest. With a colourful reputation, they steered away from conventions of the genre and developed a encapsulating sound saw them explode in popularity and reach some incredible milestones. They have created music which extends generations and excites the mind, body and soul.

Never far from controversy, The Stranglers were locked up, blamed as the cause of riots and branded as both heroes and villains. One thing that is undebatable is the hard work of the band. Although many members over the years have departed ways, they have continued to blast off their opposition and move forward. Fresh creativity and restless drive set them apart and a craftsmanship has seen them through the decades.

For their 50th anniversary, the night was set be outstanding as a long set with a brief intermission with revealed. It was no surprise that it was a sell-out show and that fans in the house were spreading out, however, there was distinct mixed impression about the venue.

Straight in the doors, attendees were met by the long queues which left lots of fans still coming into the event well after kick-off. This was caused by a lack of staff and facilities - likely due to the Country 2 Country event happening concurrently at the connected Hydro Arena next door. The next complaint was overindulgence of security. Dancing is the aisles patrols were vigilant, and only a very small portion of the crowd was allowed to dance in a small space at the front of the stage.

For their first act, The Stranglers gave a deep dive through a bag of everything they got without giving away too many of their biggest hits. They eased the crowd in as they do to themselves with some slight teething problems during Hallow to Our Men and The Raven. This was not to last and quickly a well-oiled machine was thundering along with power and glory. This is where sound quality of the venue started to shine. A stage invader struck and had a good stint before he was escorted off in time for Hanging Around and Down in the Sewer to finish of the section.

Half a century deep into his pioneering craft of The Stranglers, Jean-Jacques 'JJ' Burnel was unwavering in his display of his intense persona. Burnel remained classically dour faced, even as he twisted and rhythmically moved, but an aura of pride shone out of him as he looks out to the crowd. Adoration for the group stares back at him, Burnel is every bit the punk he was and he has lost none of his charm. Burnel dedicates to their dearly departed drummer Jet Black, who passed away in 2022, and to Dave Greenfield, who passed in 2020.

Standing beside was Barry "Baz" Warne. The guitarist and vocalist joined the group in 2000 and fitted in like the perfect piece in the puzzle of the group’s historic growing index. Warne has the energy of a charging bull on stage and as fuels and leads throughout the sets while breaking character occasionally for patter and even giving a Still Game impression a go. Although Warne is not a founding member of The Stranglers, he has become some synonymous with the group that every lyric out of his mouth sounds written for him.

Act two featured more of everything from the 1982’s Ships That Pass in the Night to 2021’s White Stallion . The is clear notion of constant transition in the set– which seems rather fitting for the band. It shows how the group will not just play cardboard set lists that tick all the boxes and could be predicted. Having said that, with sprinkling in of tracks like Skin, Deep, Peaches, Always the Sun, the crowd are transported to these songs that they feel like they know inside out. No More Heroes is played as the band’s final track and for those that were up and enjoy themselves it was stomping. Though the night had a hiccups or two, the musical amazement in the room was palpable.

The Stranglers are touring the UK throughout March, have confirmed a summer show with Buzzcocks at Caldicot Castle and with play in Blackpool’s Rebellion festival. They’re going to continue their anniversary tour across Europe in October.