The Psychedelic Furs

A Psychedelic Furs show is not just a concert; it's a living time capsule of post-punk romanticism. Influenced by Bowie and Roxy Music just as much as the punk bands of the late 70’s, they have managed to carve out their own unique style and sound that has kept them relevant for almost 50 years. The band have chosen the Palladium for the first London concert since an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2022. Much like the theatre, the band are steeped in history, glamourous and beautifully appointed.

From the opening chords of “Heaven” from the 1984 Mirror Moves album, the audience instantly reconnected with a sound that has defied time. Richard Butler immediately commands the stage with an ageless energy. His distinct, raspy vocal delivery and flamboyant stage presence with theatrical gestures and unflagging motion, remains a signature element of the Furs' performance. Younger brother, Tim, provided the band's foundational groove with his haunting basslines, showcasing the powerful sibling synergy at the heart of the group.

"President Gas" followed and Butler leaned into the lyrics, “You have to get right out of it, right out of all this mess. You'll say yeah to anything If you believe all this..” His 1982 sortie into politics during the Reagan era, the listener can only assume that he feels the world has come full circle. The inclusion of newer tracks like "Wrong Train" and “The Boy That Invented Rock & Roll” from 2020’s Made of Rain album, demonstrates the band's continued artistic vitality. Almost 20 years in the making, their latest addition to their catalogue is most certainly a return to top form and the crowd show their appreciation with a chorus of cheers.

The band tear through songs from the majority of their eight studio albums, skirting only “the Book of Days”, which was possibly the one album that didn’t hit the heights of their collective canon. This band have always been quality over quantity.

The highlights were definitely, Mr. Jones, Love my Way and Run and Run, though the crowd were on their feet for the majority of the setlist, dancing in the aisles and having a running battle with the Palladium staff who tried to corral the audience back into their seats, not 100% successfully.

The absence of longtime sax player Mars Williams, following his passing in late 2023, does affect the band’s sound. He was definitely missed, both as a personality and a key ingredient to the signature sound. That said, the current six-piece lineup did not miss a beat. The set was tight and to the point, with longtime Keyboardist Amanda Kramer adding real depth to the band's set. Drummer Zack Alford was equally impressive, a real powerbank, perfectly complimenting Tim's steady groove. Guitarist, Rich Good added rock and roll attitude to the ensemble. If there was a committee tasked with designing the perfect rock guitarist, he is the embodiment. The final piece of the puzzle is new recruit, founder member of Porno for Pyros, Peter DiStefano, who was happy to knit together the sonic tapestry throughout the set until he was let off the leash for the final encore, bringing out tricks, flicks, throwing his Jackson Lee Malia around while still making the guitar scream as they bring down the house with a highly charged rendition of "India".

The Butler's look as if they are relishing every minute on the stage and are at the height of their powers. They have a rare connection with their audience who prepared to stay late into the Halloween evening, but with a few goodbyes, and a couple of waves, they were gone into the night.

Setlist:
Heaven
President Gas
Wrong Train
The Ghost in You
The Boy That Invented Rock & Roll
Mr. Jones
My Time
No-One
Love My Way
In My Head
Run and Run
Until She Comes
Pretty in Pink
Heartbreak Beat

Encore:
It Goes On
India