Echo and The Bunnymen – at Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA

Last nights Echo & The Bunnymen concert over at Club Nokia proved to be an extraordinary moment in music, a dreamlike affair where one had to be there to fully absorb the magic of the night. The Bunnymen played an unforgettable set made up of the albums Crocodiles & Heaven Up Here back to back followed by chart topping hits that have cemented their place in alternative rock history.If you were one of the many unlucky fans unable to get a ticket to the sold out show, fear not, for Big Wheel was there saw everything under the roof!


Opening the night was solo artist Kelly Stoltz of San Francisco, a singer and songwriter who many Bunnymen fans have come to know over the years for his Crocodiles tribute album. His stage show was very stripped down (aside from xylophone), though it works quite well seeing as his backing band suits his vocal stylings so appropriately. The very 60’s psychedelic rock songs with an indie twist went over very well with the early crowd who were shuffling to make their way to the main pit area. In many ways, Kelley is the perfect opener for The Bunnymen, seeing as both artists draw so heavily from 60’s influence and style; he was a welcomed crowd warmer. As Kelley and his band closed out their set the fans energy levels began to rise as it was only a matter of time before Ian and co were due on stage.

The excitement in everyone spilled over as Ian, Will Sergeant and the band walked onto the pitch black, camouflaged adorned stage before a crowd of 1000 fans. A loud cheer filled the venues air as the eerie atmospheric intro to Going Up (Crocodiles opening track) kicked into full gear. The ever stylish front man that is Ian Mculloch sang his heart out in that way that he does that sets him apart from so many of his era. Most vocalists shy from smoking on tour, however Ian smokes cigarettes in between verses, creating a smoky mystique that lends itself to the Bunnymen’s moody brand of music. The fan favorite Rescue proved to be the biggest hit from their debut album and quite the live hit as well, bringing on the nights first big sing a long. Being the creative group that they are, they threw in a Doors and Lou Reed medley jam during their first set which caused quite a fan uproar.

Both artists were huge influences, and Ian and company paid homage in a most beautiful way. It was the 1985 single Bring on the Dancing Horses that owned the first set though, a classic Bunnymen track that is quite a favorite on the dance floor. The brief 10 minute intermission between sets worked out perfectly as it was time for a beer run and a chance to get closer to the stage before they came back for Heaven up Here in its entirety.

    Part 1 of the video overview


    BONUS: Part 2 of the video overview


The second set of the night saw a more relaxed and comfortable band as Ian often spoke to the crowd and told jokes in between songs. More hits also found their way into the set as Show of Strength, With a Hip, and All my Colours pulled from Heaven up Here were played and sung along to, like a choir ensemble. The intricate stage lighting treated fans to strobe and dark colors that lent itself to the musical aura, a bit of Ian’s cigarette smoke even filled the air in a fog machine like fashion, it was quite haunting and suited perfect for the Goth rock crowd.

The band finished Heaven up Here before coming out for a final encore and nearly blowing the roof off the club with their biggest hits to date. The ever timeless Lips Like Sugar brought upon lots of pogo and crowd swaying with its bouncy beat. Though it was Will Sergeants guitar driven Killing Moon that owned the title as best song of the night. The hypnotic mood it put the crowd in was one that carried out into nights closer The Cutter, which was quite the uplifting jangle pop hit to send every Bunnymen fan off on a very high note. The 2 hour and 20 minute set lasted to what only seemed like an hour as The Bunnymen are able to play hit after hit back to back with such ease. Before we had known, the night was over and all under the same roof had just witnessed a once in a lifetime concert that was brought on by one of the worlds most unique band to ever come out of the late 70’s/early 80’s British invasion of post-Punk bands.

Set list:
Going Up - Stars are Stars - Pride - Monkeys - Crocodiles - Rescue - Villiers Terrace/Roadhouse Blues (doors) - Pictures on The Wall - All That Jazz - Happy Death Men - Do It Clean - Bring On The Dancing Horses - Nothing lasts forever / Walk on the Wild Side
Show of Strength - With a Hip - Over the Wall - It was a Pleasure - A Promise - Heaven up Here - The Disease - All My Colours - No Dark Things - Turquoise Days - All I Want.
Encore - Lips Like Sugar - The Killing Moon - The Cutter

 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Music Staff Reporter

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

Go HERE to see all the latest show reviews

 

Send your comments to the editor HERE