The Icicle Works at The Fleece in Bristol - Live Music Review
Posted on: 2016-05-25
Our rating:
The last time the Icicle Works played at The Fleece the venue said it was the best show in the last 5 years. Six months on and the band have done it again with a blistering three hour set, more stadium than club.
Wow! This is no sprint, this is a marathon. Not for the faint hearted or for the rookie gig goer. At just gone 7.30pm on Friday 20 May 2016 The Icicle Works take to the stage at The Fleece and they are ready to rock...yes...no support band. As we enter the Springsteen territory of playing time, the band blast in to their first number "Who do you want for your love ".
The Liverpool four-piece have their beats provided by the very talented sticks of Matthew Priest from Dodgey. With a back catalogue covering the last 30 years, The Icicle Works have many gems to choose from. Most of the selected tunes including "Blind", "Caldron of love" and "Love is a wonderful colour "are cleverly lengthened for their live airings.
Ian Mcnabb has never strayed far from his left wing politics and updates some of the lyrics to have a dig at the Tories. In between songs the front man keeps a great dialog going with all the fans. With his sharp Scouse humour, the middle aged crowd heckle and laugh along with him. At one point the band break into "Fools gold" by The Stone Roses only to change the words and take the Mickey out of the Manchester band.
One and a half hours on the clock and the band take a fifteen minute time out to recharge for a mammoth second set. Part two included "Hollow horse", "Whisper to a scream" and "Understanding Jane" from what seemed like an endless collection of songs.
The best performance on the night for me was "Look what she did to my mind". The last time the Icicle Works played at The Fleece the venue said it was the best show in the last 5 years. Six months on and the band have done it again with a blistering three hour set, more stadium than club.
The Icicle Works are everything music should be; powerful, passionate, professional, sincere and value for money...if Carlsberg could make bands I would raise a pint to them
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.
