Echo & The Bunnymen - University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, England - 12.04.99

The audience waited in anticipation.  The build up began with the playing of Monk-like intro music, the kind which Enigma used to deliver.  Mr McCulloch and chums then appeared on stage, Mr McCulloch striving to be as cool as ever.

"Lips Like Sugar" was soon resounding around the auditorium, and despite its age, it sounded as fresh as it did when it was first released.  That's one of the traits of Bunnymen songs - they do not sound dated.  The band performed other "oldies" like "Evergreen", "The Back of Love", "The Cutter" and the classic "Killing Moon".

Some material from the new album was also tested out on the hardened early Bunnymen followers.  The title track and other songs on the album show the band in a mellower form. 

The band's frontman professed that the band was "the best band in the world".   He made other mutterings but it was hard for me to distinguish what he was saying.   He also did a spot of adlibbing, The Cramp's "Garbage Man" and a bit of James Brown were thrown in at various stages during the evening.

There were 2 encores, featuring "Nothing Ever Lasts Forever" and "Ocean Rain".

The performance was good, but you could expect nothing less from "the best band in the world".

Rating: ****

Date of Review: 04.07.99