Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Anton Newcombe - The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Concorde 2 - Brighton Source - Ashley Laurence - Time for Heroes Photography
Reviews

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Review

Nov 1, 2018
-
Posted by Ashley Laurence

Touring off the back of their spectacular new album ‘Something Else’ – an impressive return to form – The Brian Jonestown Massacre came to Brighton for a second night of sold-out shows.

As the lights fade and the band take the stage, tambourinist Joel Gion is greeted by a rapturous reception, proudly standing front and centre in woolly hat and sunglasses. Guitarist Ricky Maymi oozes effortless cool, whilst singer Anton Newcombe places himself far right of stage, brandishing ‘EAT SHIT!’ on his t-shirt. Amongst the long-serving members are some more unfamiliar faces in the form of drummer Sara Neidorf and icelandic trio Hallberg Hallbergsson, Hákon Adalsteinsson and Ryan Van Kriedt. Who all collectively play a flawless set over the course of the next two hours.

When they kick off proceedings with unreleased track ‘We Never Had A Chance’ it’s clear that the night is entirely on Newcombe’s terms – did we expect any less? Following the slow and soulful opener, the pysch-rockers launch into ‘Van Hande Med Dem?’ from 2014’s ‘Revelation’, turning the mood from contemplative melancholy to bouncing jubilation.

The rising organ and rigid chords on latest single ‘Hold That Thought’ have all the makings of another classic BJM track. Fan favourites ‘Pish’ and ‘Anemone’ are inevitably set highlights, and when the audience sing back “You should be picking me up, instead you’re dragging me down”, it’s enough to make the hairs stand. ‘Who?’ kicks off the first moshpit of the night, with its simple but catchy chorus and the solo in the middle of ‘Nevertheless’ is sheer bliss with all its 60s tones.

Newcombe, a notorious perfectionist and known for his off-kilter comments, shouts down a heckler and guitar tech after stopping a song TWICE to tune a guitar. From here on in it all takes an entertaining turn as more onstage banter occurs due to a blown bass amp. Newcombe says to the crowd “People ask why I own a bunch of guitar amps and heads, it’s because shit happens.”

Following the short interlude of technical issues, a beautiful rendition of ‘Devil May Care’ transfixes with its trance-like psychedelia. This is followed by a rather epic version of ‘Yeah, Yeah’, ending in a climax of dazzling euphoria, with Newcombe and Maymi trading off each other at opposites ends of the stage.

The set ends where it all began, with another unreleased track called ‘A Word’, finishing in an explosion of chaotic feedback. Newcombe remains on stage to loop the noise on his guitar pedals and play a simple beat on the drum kit. This goes on for almost ten minutes with nothing really happening, like some sort of performance art piece looping for eternity. Is this some kind of trolling or a genuine part of the show? Most of the audience remain to watch this strange occurrence unfold, until the beat finally stops. What a trip!

Concorde 2, Wednesday 24th October 2018
Words by Jack Fletcher
Photos by Ashley Laurence

Nov 1, 2018
Email
Ashley Laurence
I'm a music, events and portrait photographer (Time for Heroes Photography), balancing freelance work with my day job as a content writer.

I'm a lover of the open-minded, treating people and our planet with respect, punk spirit and take a rather footloose and fancy-free new approach to embrace new experiences. Not a fan of heights.

I adore Brighton's unique character, and have been proudly repping Brighton Source since 2013.
← PREVIOUS POST
Therapy Review
NEXT POST →
Placebo Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Great Escape 2025 Day 4 Review
    Jun 13, 2025

    Day 4 started with a party whistle thrash punk Extravaganza and ended with the glorious debut of Post Common. We love you TGE.

  • Great Escape 2025 Day 3 Review
    Jun 9, 2025

    One of the real joys of the Great Escape is you can often see the bands that really grab you more than once. Day 3 delivered.

  • Great Escape 2025 Day 2 Review
    Jun 7, 2025

    Day 2 provided a diverse range of acts. Within 30 minutes we went from beautiful Australian folk to riotous Korean DnB and that was before tea time!

  • The Girl On The Train Review
    Jun 7, 2025

    A fantastic adaptation of Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel which is a beautiful balance of acting, theatricality and gritty story telling.

  • Great Escape 2025 Day 1 Review
    Jun 6, 2025

    No longer just a day for getting your wrist band; some serious heavy hitters were brought out for a cracking day one.

  • Winnie The Pooh Review
    Jun 2, 2025

    A delightful venture into the 100 acre wood with Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh and their friends: full of wonder, innocence and charm.

  • Lower Slaughter Return With New Album And Headline Show
    May 30, 2025

    New line up! New Album! New Show! Same heavy heavy monster riffs. Winner.

  • Delightfully Dark Review
    May 30, 2025

    A fresh and hilariously funny one man cabaret show about the absurdity of death, living a finite existence and embracing life in all its imperfections.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Review - Brighton Source