The Fall

Fall gigs are notoriously inconsistent but tonight they delivered an electric set of tight punk funk. Yes Mark E Smith spent most of the night hidden on a chair behind the guitar stack but with the current line-up firing on all cylinders and that singular, incomprehensible voice commanding attention their devoted fans were richly rewarded. When he did venture onstage Smith was clearly in good spirits as he skulked around, hand in pocket, adjusting the amps. With the mighty ‘Theme From Sparta FC’ and a duck walk-worthy ‘White Lightning’ as encores this was Mark E Smith at his most contrary and brilliant.

The Old Market, 4 December 2012

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