Echo & The Bunnymen

Whoa....I wasn't really expecting a disappointment and I don't like bagging on a show, but... what a weird night!
I should say that they sounded really good. No complaints there. And the venue was a sell out and everyone really seemed to love the show. Rushing the stage at the encore and everything.
I just can't believe we were the only ones
who didn't feel it was a great show. Ian never once moved away from his mike to talk to or engage with any band mates. He did however ride the roadie in between each and every song and during some songs. After a while it just seemed like he was really high maintenance and his issues could not possibly be legitimate. He did, however, leave his mike between each song (when not busting poor roadie's chops) to go to a little table set up behind him that had the following items on it: water bottle, pack of cigarettes, box of Kleenex, cup of milk (or some other white liquid), wine glass with either scotch or cognac - can't be sure which, but it wasn't wine and a bottle of tums. No, I'm not kidding. Roadie was constantly refilling "milk", "wine" glass and supply of smokes. But...whatever...you need what you need. When he spoke to the crowd between songs, he really, really mumbled and no one had even a clue what was being said, besides "thank you". Everyone around us kept saying, "What? Do you know what he said?" Everyone. It was a shame, because we all wanted to know what he was saying, but...no clue. For the whole night.
In addition to remaining perfectly stationery except for visiting his goodie table, he had the mike really high, right in his face, blocking his lower face from the audience. That and the dark sunglasses, we felt very cut off from him. I get that he always wears the sunglasses and that's understandable, but with everything else, we felt disengaged from him and the whole show. I don't know if the band and Ian have issues, but they also seemed like they didn't even like each other at all. Bass player and the non-Will Sargent guitarist kind of hung out near each other, but that's it.
They played a lot of hits and approx. 4 new songs, but not Holy Moses. They played 2 encores, which I thought was commendable (and surprising, given Ian's demeanor). I definitely liked their hits better than the new songs. Everyone really seemed disengaged with the new songs that no one knew. I am not a Doors fan and they played their 2 Doors covers, which I didn't love, but again, everyone else did. However, the hits sounded good and people loved it!
I still don't think we could be the only people who felt this way. And again, I really hate bagging on someone for their show. :-(

On Friday evening, it was some 35 years since I first saw Echo and the Bunnymen, and exactly seven days since I last saw them. During this entire period, I have seen them around 60 times on three continents. And, with perhaps the odd exception, they have never disappointed. Hit and miss on record, they almost never miss live.

But even with such a solid track record, Friday's Warehouse 23 gig was something special. The most "intimate" venue I've ever seen them play, with the possible exception of the Glasgow Apple Store. Warehouse 23 is not a great venue, flat floor and low stage combine with many obstacles to make it difficult to see the band. The acoustics are unspectacular, and so is the sound system. But none of this matters when the Bunnymen are on form, and on Friday they were on form. Playing a shorter version of the same set they played at the previous week's Rockaway Beach festival, they rolled out fan favourite after crowd pleaser. Predominantly tracks from the first three albums, plus Constantinople, Dancing Horses and Nothing Ever Lasts Forever. An overly long encore of the tedious Lips Like Sugar jam was all that let the night down.

The small, packed venue created the feel of an aspiring band on their way up, rather than elder statesmen on cruise. And with Sergeant more forward in the mix than is often the case these days, they wove a heady magical psychedelic mix.

Echo at Irving plaza; a long tradition, outside of RCMH gigs to promote Ocean Rain orchestral gigs, I don't believe they've played elsewhere in the city the last few years. Avoided the opening act, another tradition, I'm getting too old to stand that long! Although it's only Ian and Will from the original group, they are the mainstays and principle songwriters. Still Ian's voice was in fine form--and I've seen them when his voice is completely shot--and Will's playing was magnificent! A friend who's never seen them remarked that he thought Will 's playing was similar to David Gilmore of Pink Floyd. I don't see the comparison, except the Bunnymen can have that psychedelic thing going on. They started with the title cut of the new CD and ended up playing 3 cuts from the new one, which is unusual for them, the last tour for "The Fountain," they only played one cut. Too bad, I thought that was their best material in years. They played all their hits--rescue, the cutter, killing moon, ending with the trilogy of "Nothing Lasts Foreever," "Lips Like Sugar," and "Ocean Rain." The crowd sang along, The Bunnymen weaved in "Walk on the Wild Side" and "in the midnight hour" during nothing lasts... fun was had by all! Just wish the guys would play deeper cuts in their catalogue. Although it's America, we're devoted; still I enjoyed myself, and that's the point!

Write your review of Echo Time is a good healer. I swore for years I'd not see echo and the bunnymen because they'd slagged off Glastonbury and it's organiser Michael Eaves. But in life you move on and having seen them support James in Birmingham a couple of years ago I thought 'move on'. Even better that this gig was at Cambridge Junction, a great tight venue. Lead singer Ian decked in dark sunglasses was on good chatty form. Ably supported by guitarist and sole survivor of the original line up Will Sargent We were treated to the classics such as The Cutter, Killing Moon and a few great tracks from the new album While I wasn't drawn to the front I enjoyed the gig and the memory lane. Time is a good healer Adam Broadway

L'Alhambra in Paris is such a great venue , I mean, perfect! Great view from anywhere there... I love Echo and the Bunnymen since their beggining, but never had a chance to watch them alive! Their new album Meteorites is such a masterpiece and brings their sound to the place where it belongs. The setlist was fantastic, and Ian showed all the time why they are considered one of the best bands ever. Songs like "Nothing Lasts forever", "Lovers on the run", "The Killing Moon"... Can't wait to watch them playing again! I wish they decide to play in my country soon, and surely Songkick will keep me up to date!

Fantastic show of Echo & The Bunnymen, sound, Ian McCulloch' voice and choice of songs were just amazing. I was expecting a more mellow show (due to release of last album and 'transformed songs') but the songs were played in the original versions, with an intensity, energy and emotion that did not disappoint. Although Ian is mostly static and hidden behind black sunglasses, his incomparably beautiful and powerful voice is a magnet. The musicians were great. I only regret that the show was sitting! people were ready to dance and everyone ended up standing at the end
These guys rock!

Band came on stage at 9:00 PM, played for an hour, then came back for a 15 minute encore. This performance duration is disappointing and unacceptable. The band front loaded newer material into their set before going into the Bunnymen back catalog. Ian McCullough's voice has been eroded by four decades of smoking, yet he has the audacity to smoke DURING the concert. However, Will Sergeant's guitar playing is still solid, and the rest of the band is more than competent. I can no longer recommend Echo & The Bunnymen as a viable live act.

Truely unique...the Bunnymen have that special “Sound”, that sets them apart from all others, making them so recognizable. I’ve loved them since 1983 and still do. Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant are the only two original members left of the four, but they make due very well. Will makes the guitar sing so beautifully! I wish Ian’s vocals had better volume like his recordings, because he can still belt them out. But these guys make beautiful music and I highly recommend them!

They just don't make front man divas like this anymore. Ian walked off stage after the first song because the bass didn't sound right. The tech guys fixed it and back he came..."let's start this all over." His voice sounds great, the nostalgia factor is still there, and all in all a decent show. Though I didn't stay, I heard he came out afterwards and greeted fans and signed autographs. He remains pretty badass in my opinion.

Incredibly enjoyable show, MAC was in excellent voice and Will displaying his incredible guitar prowess as usual. The setlist was brilliant and highlighted the cream of their illustrious career. There were a few notable absences from the list, but with a career as rich as EATB one night is not enough. Excellent show guys thanks for bringing it to Dublin and hope to see ya again soon.