Live Review: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The KVB

From the word go, as Whoever You Are started ringing around the jam-packed Hi-Fi at the Entertainment Quarter, all in attendance knew they were in for the experience of a lifetime. Opening the night was UK duo The KVB playing tracks from their latest album, Minus One. Comprising of Nicholas Wood and Kat Day, The KVB were a fitting prelude to The Brian Jonestown Massacre, having released their first album on Anton Newcombe's label A Recordings. Their rock/psych/alternative sound had the crowd wanting more.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre, tonight acting as an eight-piece, has, over the years, seen some 40 members pass through the band's ranks. However, the focal point has always remained the same in Anton Newcombe. Tonight's performance was truly epic and a far cry from the drug-fucked BJM fans would remember from years gone by. From tambourine to drums to guitar, all were out on display in perfect sync for an amazing sound that can only be delivered by a band crafted from over two-and-a-half decades of psychedelic perfection. Newcombe took a back seat on a performance heavily driven by guitar solos and, as expected, very little crowd interaction – apart from the occasional “take it easy” to over-enthusiastic crowd members.

Getting back to the music and notable mentions to Wisdom, Open Heart Surgery and their latest track, What You Isn't, which was a definite sign of things to come for a band that has consistently released solid record after solid record across their career. Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth stood out as the crowd favourite for the night, reminding everyone in attendance of their colourful history with The Dandy Warhols and their evolution to the band we see today. With an amazing rendition of Oh Lord finishing off proceedings the crowd were left wanting more. Unfortunately, in true Jonestown style, the curtains closed and no encore was in sight, putting an end to any chance of the San Francisco rockers playing until the early hours of the morning.