The Alarm - Live Music Review in Bristol
Posted on: 2016-05-19
Our rating:
Mike does not let us down. Opening with Declaration/Marching on, he passionately performs numerous classics including Knife Edge, Absolute Reality, and Strength.
On 4 December 1986, The Alarm had reached the pinnacle of their career. They were playing to 25,000 people live at the UCLA campus in America as well as being broadcast live on MTV. Tonight the venue is a boat in Bristol harbour, where The Alarm's only original member and frontman, Mike Peters, aims to take us down memory lane to recreate that famous day.
Last year saw the return of cancer for the third time in Mike’s life. This did not stop him taking The Alarm out supporting the Stranglers on their Black and White tour in Feb and March 2016. Taking a short break for chemotherapy, Mike takes his spirit of 86 tour on the road again. This time there is no band, just Mike, his guitars, backing tracks and pre programmed drums.
As Mr Peters enters onto the Thekla stage to a small but enthusiastic crowd he announces his first set will be a little of his newer work and set two will be that of the UCLA gig, song by song.
In the first set he plays some great tunes including: Breathe and the new number, Time, being the highlight written about his personal plight. With a few more beers on board, set two sees the crowd thirsty for some classic Alarm songs. In what I can only describe as a live documentary of that famous December day, Mike does not let us down. Opening with Declaration/Marching on, he passionately performs numerous classics including Knife Edge, Absolute Reality, and Strength.
One diehard fan already has his shirt off, jumping around in amongst the bewildered crowd. At this point the overzealous fan is invited on stage by Mike to throw the playing cards into the crowd in the middle of Where were you hiding , a ritual that has taken place for the last 30 years at every show, with firm favourites 68 Guns, Spirit of 76, and the Stand, Peters shouts goodnight Bristol.
For the encore he returns with more stories of that memorable day and plays Knocking on Heavens Door, followed by My Generation. Not quite acoustic and not quite live, I can't really explain , but like the cartoon character Mr Ben, who goes on various adventures, and returns to 52 Festive Road with a souvenir to remind him of his special day, I too returned home with the King of Hearts card to remind me of mine.
5/5
Reviewed by Mike Headington for 365Bristol.com - The leading events and entertainment website in Bristol
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
