The Stranglers – at Wizard festival – New Deer, Scotland – August 26, 2011

The iconic Stranglers logo is hung at the back of the stage and the drum risers and keyboard racks wheeled into place.  A cheer goes up as the lights go down and the haunting strains of Waltzinblack swirl from the PA ushering the band onstage. They’re quickly into their positions and straight into a rocking I Feel like a Wog and, from my vantage pointbeside the mixing desk, I can see that the crowd at the front is really bouncing in time with the music. The sound is excellent. All instruments distinct with Baz Warne’s vocals crisp and clear above them.

Peaches, with its unmistakeable lead bassline, is dispatched early in the set to a great response and it’s followed by (Get A) Grip (On Yourself). Any concern I have about this being a festival hits set is dispelled as they launch into a new song, Freedom Is Insane. Starting slowly with keyboard effects like waves on a beach, JJ it changes tempo half way through into an old-school Stranglers rocker. If this is indicative of the new material they’re writing, I look forward to the next album when it arrives.

Always the Sun is up next giving the crowd the chance to sing along on the chorus, before the one everybody knows, Golden Brown, gets trotted out. Baz gets a rest from the guitar for this one as he tenderly sings the lyrics, only playing on the lightly picked solo. Disappointingly, almost as soon as the song is finished, people start to trickle away.  As the simple drum intro signals the start of Nice and Sleazy, Baz asks we wish Jet Black a happy birthday tonight. (I later discover that it’s his 74th!!) It’s always been a favourite Stranglers tune of mine and tonight it’s preyed to perfection. The non-hits set continues with Tramp and Baroque Bordello getting a rare outing, keeping the hardcore fans at the front happy. They’re even more pleased as they play Threatened later in the set.

Their latest album Suite XVI is represented by a stunning Spectre of Love and album closer relentless, while only Lost Control is featured from the previous one, Norfolk Coast. The atmosphere is soured somewhat as some idiot catches Baz on the chest with a full pint of (hopefully) beer. He continues the song without a blink but, when it’s done he announces “Great shot. Ya c**t! Try that again and I’ll come looking for you.” Perhaps this is the reason he disparagingly changes the opening lyrics of Sweden to “Let me tell you about Scotland...” I can’t say I blame him. In the eight hours or so I’ve been here today, I’ve seen more falling-about-drunk people than I did in five whole days at the Rebellion punk fest in Blackpool. More than I’ve seen at any other festival in fact. Bizarre.

Nuclear Device is the surprise set closer but, with several notable songs not having been aired yet, it’s obvious there will be an encore. After a couple of minutes cheering, the band returns to the stage. All Day and All of the Night gets a great crowd response and a mass outbreak of dancing right up to the back of the crowd. Duchess is next up and, while it’s played well, it’s somehow unsatisfying. Maybe the weakest song of the evening. There’s another short break before the band come back for the final encore, treating us to a wonderful version of Hanging Around before JJ bangs the strings on his bass before a spidery run down the strings kicks off a final No More Heroes which gets everyone dancing again and shouting out the chorus. It’s the perfect end to a decent day’s entertainment.


-New York Johnny-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

Photos by:
-Dod M.-
Big Wheel Staff Photographer

 
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