Brian Jonestown Massacre: A night of controlled chaos, executed with surprising finesse. – Glasgow, February 2025

★★★★★ (5/5)

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLANDS
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

A Brian Jonestown Massacre gig is often an unpredictable affair, teetering between transcendence and trainwreck. But tonight, in the heart of Glasgow, Anton Newcombe and his band delivered something unexpectedly sharp: a tight, immersive, and surprisingly polished performance that left the giddy crowd in a dancing paradise.

From the moment they took the stage at the Barrowland Ballroom, there was a different energy in the air. Usually known for their sprawling, chaotic sets, tonight BJM locked in from the first note. Kicking off with Maybe Make It Right, Newcombe’s voice was strong, his guitar work hypnotic. The layers of reverb and delay washed over the audience, setting the tone for what would be an uncharacteristically tight evening,

Where past shows have seen Newcombe distracted by technical issues or mid-song rants, tonight he was all business, barely pausing between songs. The set dipped into all of their timeline, with That Suicide Girl, Fudge, and P**h slotting seamlessly around favourites like Anemone and Nevertheless. The band’s dual drummers created a relentless, pulsating groove, anchoring even the most psychedelic moments in a controlled intensity.

The biggest surprise of the night was the sheer precision of the performance. Matt Hollywood and Ricky Maymi’s guitar interplay was razor-sharp, weaving intricate melodies through Newcombe’s ever-present wall of sound. Even when they drifted into their trademark extended jams—such as a blissed-out, ten-minute rendition of Servo—there was a sense of restraint and cohesion that is often absent in their more unpredictable live outings.

That’s not to say the gig lacked the raw edge that makes BJM special. The Glasgow crowd, known for their enthusiasm, fed off the band’s energy, with swirling pockets of movement forming during many of the tracks. The air felt thick with sweat and there was an intense drone of shouted, drunken chatter. While Newcombe’s usual between-song banter was kept to a minimum, his presence remained magnetic throughout.

Closing with an epic take on Super-Sonic, BJM left the stage to rapturous applause. There were no meltdowns, no sudden departures—just a band at the peak of their powers, proving they can deliver a polished, powerful performance when the mood strikes.

For longtime fans, this was a revelation. For newcomers, it was an entry point into one of the most enigmatic live bands in modern psychedelia. Either way, it was a night that will linger in the minds of those who witnessed it—a reminder that when the Brian Jonestown Massacre are locked in, there are few who can match their magic.