The Wedding Present + more across Manchester Academy.
Brainiac
Moth Club, London
20th February 2023
Remember that episode of The Simpsons? Homerpalooza. The one Sonic Youth are in where Cypress Hill order that orchestra and Homer gets shot in the stomach with a cannon? There’s a bit in that episode where the crowd (a bunch of moody, alternative teenagers) are swaying slowly with melancholy expressions on their faces as they watch Sonic Youth. This is what I expected from the crowd at a Brainiac gig (stylised as 3RA1N1AC) – and I mean that with the highest of compliments as I love this episode. However, the room tonight is bursting with explosive energy from start to finish as the Ohio-based band give fans the show they could only have dreamed of.
There’s people jumping with hands in the air doing the devil horns sign. I even see one guy with his hand on his mates shoulder and his hand hilariously still moulded in this position. There’s a huge communal love for the band in the room tonight, proved by the insane energy coming from the crowd. Despite being chaotically in your face, there is a humbleness to the group as they ooze cool whilst their cult following witness what can only be described as a flawless show.
Arguably one of the most distinctive bands of the 90s, Brainiac are still filled with playfulness but a playfulness you take seriously. It’s enigmatic and chaotic as it blurs progressive pop with avant melodies. Layered with undeniable texture and a Mark E Smith/Fall demeanour to the stage presence, tonight appeals to the masses with the crowd ranging from low age to high. The band joke about ‘slowing things down’ for the older people in the room, which is then contradicted by them coming back for two encores. Their abrasive attitude towards a live show combined with the passion from the crowd proves that they truly are still an inspirational and relevant band on the scene today.
Having to replace a frontman is never an easy task. But The Undertones managed to get away with it, and so have Brainiac. After the tragic passing of Tim Taylor in the late 90s, a lot of bands would have stopped for good. But not Brainiac. Tonight is tasteful, fun and everything you’d want. In all honesty, it’s going to be hard for a gig to beat this one.
Setlist:
Fresh New Eyes
Pussy Footin’
Hot Metal Dobermans
Hands of the Genius
Fly Paper
Myth
Flash Ram
Piggy
Bee Keeper
Vincent
Come on Down
Smothered Inside
Forget Everything
Come With Me
Mr Fingers
Follow Brainiac on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify
All words by Jazz Hodge. More writing by Jazz can be found in her author’s archive.
All photos © Paul Grace. For more of Paul’s writing and photos go to his archive. Paul is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his websites are www.paulgrace-eventphotos.co.uk & www.pgrace.co.uk
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