14 June 2025

PRIMAL SCREAM was conceived in Scotland in 1982. That’s a looooong time ago. And it was a highly turbulent journey with good to sublime albums (with 1991’s Screamadelica as their magnum opus), chaotic gigs, and human drama (guitarist Robert Young passed away in 2014, only 49 and keyboardist Martin Duffy died in 2022 after a fatal fall at his home).

As of today, frontman/lyricist Bobby Gillespie and guitarist Andrew Innis (both 63 now) are the only original members, with awesome bassist Simone Marie Butler (since 2013) and relentless drummer Darrin Mooney (since 1997) as longtime additions.

Last November The Scream released their 12th, critically acclaimed LP,
named Come Ahead (with Gillespie‘s young father on the cover).

NME said: “Personal and political, Bobby Gillespie and co’s David Holmes-assisted first album in eight years wants us to dance our way to justice… ‘Come Ahead’ may have a whole lot of funk on its surface but still packs oodles of punk and grenades of protest in its trunk.” Score 4/5.

New album, new tour.

The band is in my Top-5 of best live ones for a very long time now, so when they
landed in The Netherlands, in the cozy city of Utrecht last Monday, I was upfront for
another spiritual Primal Scream gathering.

Yes, that’s what a PS concert is all about. It’s an euphoric and uplifting celebration of
life (oh yeah, just look around, hug your beloved family and friends, it’s not like if all in
our tormented world is shit), a festive jamboree for your heart, soul and vocal cords. Screamdelica‘s highlights Don’t Fight It Feel It, Movin’ Up, Loaded, as Come Together are
the emotive exponents of the exuberant mindset throughout the night.

The fact that a full orchestra is up there, including two soul-powered voices and a sultry saxophonist, shows the group’s determination to walk it like they talk it and give the people an all-in sonic gospel-like treatment.

The album’s singles Ready To Go Home, Love Insurrrection and The Centre Cannot Hold, fitted the fervent flow just perfectly. A couple of other newbies were integrated, but of course everybody went berserk when the aforementioned e-tastic highlights and 24 Carat firecrackers Rocks, Jailbird, Medication, and Country Girl made the sweaty venue shake to its foundations. What can I say. There’s no such thing as an expiration date for The Scream. Not on record, not on stage. Hail hail!

An idea of the live Scream spirit

SETLIST

1. Don’t Fight It, Feel It
2. Love Insurrection
3. Jailbird
4. Ready to Go Home
5. Deep Dark Waters
6. Medication
7. Innocent Money
8. Heal Yourself
9. I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have
10. Love Ain’t Enough
11. The Centre Cannot Hold
12. Loaded
13. Swastika Eyes
14. Movin’ on Up
15. Country Girl

Encore:

16. Melancholy Man
17. Come Together
18. Rocks

COME AHEAD

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Photos by Turn Up The Volume