Photographs: Ama Chana

Whilst most bands reunite for money, an ego-boost, or an ill-fated attempt to reclaim past glories, one gets the impression that when the prickly and perfectionist Kevin Shields decides to make a comeback, he’s got a damn good reason to. And whilst seminal noise-rockers My Bloody Valentine haven’t any new material on show just yet, tonight’s show more than proves they’ve not lost the scintillating energy that made them such a draw the first time round.

The fierce opening chords of ‘Only Shallow’ immediately dispelled fears their 14 year hiatus had softened them, and there’s little faulting any of their other picks from Loveless either- an extended ‘I Only Said’ was particularly breathtaking. Some folks complained about inaudible vocals, especially Sheilds’, but they’ve never been a prominent element of the MBV sound- and in all honesty, most of songs work just as well as pure instrumentals. Continue Reading