The Stranglers - Usher Hall, Edinburgh 9th March 2024

The atmosphere was expectant, tonight was going to be a good show. We have all received an email earlier in the day letting us know there was to be no support and that The Stranglers were going to play two sets, a short one of 50 minutes then, after a 30 minute break, they were going to tear it up till 11:00.

The stage was set; the drums and keys were on risers and two mics sat at the front of the stage. Three chandeliers hung from the ceiling and various lighting rigs were situated all around the paying area. Just on 8:00 the band arrived. JJ and Baz wore satin collared dinner suits, drummer Jim was in a shirt and tie whilst Toby stood behind his bank of keys in black shirt and dark glasses.

“Just Like Nothing on Earth” from the 1981 album “Gospel According to the Men in Black” kicked the evening off and, perhaps, set expectations for the night. This was to be a 50th anniversary show not a greatest hits night out. Most hits were certainly there but, as the next three hour evolved, it was clear that this was to be review of a great career not merely the money makers. “Hallow to our Men” from the same album followed, before a couple of songs from 1979’s “The Raven”; the title track and “Baroque Bordello” both favourites of mine from an album I’ve always enjoyed.

The suits, the chandeliers, the lighting and the stage set all took on a heavily gothic look which complimented the darkness of the music excellently.

It's no surprise JJ is now leader of the pack and his influence on the set list has been evident over the last few tours, and why not. He is the last survivor of the original Guilford gang who brought us, what was, a very different punk sound in the late ‘70’s. JJ gives a dedication to “two people who can’t be here tonight, Jet Black and Dave Greenfield” it is a gesture that is made early and is clearly personally felt. It also makes clear, to me at least, that these two stalwarts are very much part of what is to come over the course of the evening and that they are not in any form an afterthought. As this was a celebration of 50 years, I wondered if it might not have been appropriate to at least mention Hugh Cornwall, after all most of the words sung tonight are his too.

The first half of the night came to a close with “Hanging Around” and “Down in the Sewer” from the 1977 album that really set The Stranglers apart from the crowd, Rattus Norvegicus.

As the lights came up, I remembered it was my round so I headed to the bar. I spent twenty minutes queuing and talking to fans. It's fair to say folk were loving it. Whilst the singing was great, there was also a lot of love for the instrumental elements of the show and there were plenty of those. That’s one of the things that really set The Stranglers apart from their contemporaries, they were at least as musical as they were lyrical.

The presence of a keyboard was not something that was particularly ‘punk’ back in the day but it added a depth to The Stranglers sound and, I think, a longevity to their appeal, something borne out thought this celebration of 50 years of making music. I also think The Stranglers turned the music thing on it's head a bit. Bass and keys were very much at the forefront of their production with the guitar playing an, unusually, background role in so many of their songs. These were just things that, for me, made The Stranglers sound and, beer in hand, I am looking forward to hearing more.

The lights come down and a kilted figure appears on the stage carrying a squeezebox. Various looks of interest and intrigue cross the hall; “Waltzinblack”, The Stranglers walk on number, starts to play, squeezebox style. Like many others, I think that is absolutely brilliant!

The band appears, all smiles too and blast into “Who Wants the World”? “Daghenam Dave” and “Duchess”, a particular favourite of mine then follow. The suits are now gone and the chandeliers, whilst not removed, seem to ease into the background as this set becomes grounded in black Doc’s and black shirts; a greater punk vibe is underway. “Peaches”, “Skin Deep”, “Always the Sun” and “Golden Brown” are great songs to hear in succession. The crowd are bouncing, though it's fair to say that for many the spirit may be willing but various hearts and lungs are not what they used to be in the early ‘80’s and the mosh pit never quite moves into fourth gear.

“5 Minutes”, “Something Better Change” and “Tank” take us to the end of the set. As the band go off there is a muted cry for more. I sometimes worry that fans take an encore for granted and don’t always give it full pelt in asking for more. Nevertheless, after a short absence JJ and his amigos are back. “Go Buddy Go”, the first ever Stranglers song, and “No More Heroes” end the night.

As he lights come up and we start to wander towards Lothian Road, I found myself reflecting on what, I felt, was a brilliant night. Jim played every fill with a drummers grimace of joy whilst Toby carried the keys with an authenticity that was a credit to Dave Greenfield. As for Baz, well, he’s in with the bricks having been part of The Stranglers for almost half their existence. JJ remains the last original standing. I think this is not something he takes for granted and, on the evidence of the last few gigs, he is keen to ensure and underscore his bands much deserved legacy.

This was an epic occasion. I am not sure how many more times we will get to see The Stranglers. I hope this was not my last gig with the Men in Black but if it is, I can look back on a great night and, indeed, many great gigs in rooms big and small, opulent and sweaty all filled by fans who have enjoyed a journey together with a great bunch of musicians.