Undoubtedly one of the attractions to Propaganda are their poetic lyrics which so effortlessly convey feeling and emotion. So it’s perhaps not unsurprising that whilst my review of one of the xPropaganda shows at The Highbury Garage earlier in the year, where they performed “A Secret Wish” in full was generally well received. One person commented “This is not a review, it is I was there too” (it even rhymed!).
Funnily enough, I agreed with him! My main interest in music coverage is on the photography side and I’m the first to admit I’m not a great music writer.
The obvious solution would be to find a good writer, whilst I concentrate on the photography side. The problem is that when I look at other blogs, I very rarely find the writing engaging, and judging by the amount of reaction and comments, nor do other people. But photos tend to be popular.
For example, I had a look at one of the bigger blogs, which has 30,000+ followers on Facebook. Their review of U2 got 5 reactions, 1 share and 1 comment. Regardless of what you think about U2 (personally, when people were queing around the block to buy The Joshua Tree I thought it was the emperors new clothes), they sold out the Manchester Arena 2 nights running – if a band that big can only get 5 likes is it even worth writing about music? I thought maybe blog readers are more interested in up and coming bands – but the rather superb album from Black Honey review got 1 like and no comments. It’s easy to blame facebook algorithms, but the same blog’s posts about Bobby Gillespie refusing to dance on This Week had over 500 reactions. However, coming back to U2, the photographers photos on their own page had over 100 reactions.
So until I find a style of writing that I find engaging and a writer who can do it well, like all the other blogs I’ll carry on doing what I do. Apologies to any fellow Propaganda fans expecting a poetic “review” rather than a utilitarian one, but I hope you enjoy the photos!
Anyway, Propaganda have been one of my favourite bands since the mid-80s, so it’s not exactly surprising that I thought they were great! In the interests of impartiality, I watched the audience’s reactions, and from barrier to back the crowd were loving their set!
Unlike their shows earlier in the year at the Highbury Garage in London where they performed “A Secret Wish” in full and in order, tonght’s set was the album highlights beginning with “Jewel” and ending, unsurprisingly with “Duel”.
Claudia and Suzanne ooze elegance and style, cruising through their hits with passion.
When I went into the photo pit, the audience looked decidedly sparse, however this was due to an unusually early start. The venue opened it’s doors at 7pm and Propaganda started at 7.30pm sharp – usually it would be 7.45 or later, but Heaven 17 had a long set so they needed to kick things off early.
By the time the 3rd song had finished and I left the photo pit, the room was full, which was nice to see as I feel that Propaganda are often overlooked when people look at 80s electronic music, but tonight most of the audience who were there for Heaven 17 were also there for Propaganda, proving that it was a well chosen lineup.
Lets just suffice to say, if you enjoy “A Secret Wish” then you will love Propaganda live – go and see them!
By now you probably realise that Propaganda were the main attraction for me tonight, though I’ve always liked Heaven 17 and was keen to see and hear what they were like live.
I’m happy to report that they were absolutely superb!
Glenn Gregory’s voice is superb and his banter between songs thoroughly engaging. “When we want a party, forget Sheffield, we come to Liverpool” he said, though I suspect he doesn’t say that in Sheffield!
Martin Ware, the Drummer and the backing singers were all excellent.
I had to leave early due to other commitments, but I’ll definitely go and see them again when I get a chance.
A packed venue, full of people enjoying great music – what more could you want from a Saturday night?
