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With it being around 18 months since their last album and no new material on display tonight, it would appear that tonight's gig by Hounslow's most famous sons is simply an exercise in letting us know they're still here and, as they take to the stage with "Soloman Bites The Worm", it's heartening to see so many people singing along in the audience. Although not enjoying the same high profile as they did some eight years ago, there's no denying that the Bluetones still command a loyal fanbase.
As for the gig, there's little here you won't have heard before but when you've got as much of a knack for great tunes as the Bluetones have, it scarcely matters. From old favourites like "Slight Return" and "Cut Some Rug" to some real under-rated gems from last year's sadly overlooked "Luxembourg" album ("Fastboy", "You're No Fun Anymore", "Liquid Lips") the songs hook themselves in your head and stubbornly refuse to let go. If tonight's aim was simply a reminder that the Bluetones are very much still out there then it's achieved far more than that. On tonight's form, they're up there with the best in the country and it's a sad indictment of the way alternative music's gone in Britain of late that people would rather tune in to dross like Kasabian than great life-affirming songs like this.
"Bloody hell," says my mate afterwards, "I didn't realise how many great songs those guys had!" Enough said I think.
Review by Andy James
