Suede + Teleman, O2 Academy, Birmingham 31/10/13
Suede Halloween: typically a night of deviance, disguises, tricks, and treats. For those at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, however, things started off a little less seasonal.
Teleman Teleman’s artistic minimal stylings have long been surrounding them with praise and respect, and on stage they certainly didn’t disappoint. Live, their music is revitalised with a new vigour, a slightly less-polished edge that makes the band seem all the more exciting. Songs ‘Steam Train’ and ‘Cristina’ were clear highlights, their familiar riffs heralding dance moves from those gathered by the stage.
Suede But no matter how impressive Teleman were, it was clear that those present were only after one thing. As the lights turned down low, and a rumbling chord kicked in, the room’s wait was over. Suede took to the stage to the sound of rapturous applause – a sound that barely seemed to cease throughout their set – and the band basked in it. Beginning their set with a series of tracks from their latest record, Bloodsports, they proceeded to showcase that although they may have been away for an awful long time, they still remain as relevant as they ever were.
Suede As you’d expect, it was the classics that really sent the room spinning. ‘Animal Nitrate,’ ‘The Drowners,’ ‘Metal Mickey,’ and ‘Trash’ were just a few of the hits that emanated from the stage. B-sides ‘Killing Of A Flashboy’ and ‘Modern Boys’ were also given an outing (the latter track being performed live for the first time), before a heart-swelling performance of ‘The Wild Ones’ gave way to a slow, stripped-down, and beautiful rendition of ‘The Living Dead.’
Suede Throughout the show, the crowd were hooked, pushing their way to be as close to the band up front as they could manage. Frontman Brett Anderson’s distinctive dancing dominated the stage, barely leaving room for focus the rest of the band, shrouded in shadow. Diving off the stage to be gripped and grabbed by his crowd, he revelled in every moment.
Suede After ending with ‘Beautiful Ones,’ Suede returned to the stage, thanking everyone for their time, for their presence, and for their support. Giving thanks to those who had been with the band for a while, and those who were having their first live introduction, they encored with ‘New Generation.’ If ever there was a message from this show, it’d be one of longevity. Suede are a band that are surviving the test of time. As for where they go from here, only more time will tell. We just hope it brings them back to us soon. Photographs by Rob Hadley
