Confession time. I own a CD of Primal Scream's 2000 studio album 'XTRMNTR', the by-product of a relationship with a then edgy ex. I have long wanted to see them in concert but for whatever reason - left it too late for tickets - blah blah - suffice to say I haven’t. Until now! So my planned Monday night staying in was pleasantly interrupted by an old mate, calling me and saying that he had been surprisingly gifted two tickets from another at his bowling club, and as I like my music, did I want to join him? Did I? How the Rock 'n' Roll times roll! Consequently he was on his way there and off we went!

With grateful thanks to our donor and to the staff at The Roundhouse, this concert was a truly unforgettable experience. The first entire performance of the aforementioned 'XTRMNTR' in its entirety, that originally peaked at no. 3 in the UK Album Chart. Visually their set was an overload from the get go. Astonishing videos, hard edged techno, full on band complement, with an orchestral like horn section.

With Simon Butler's bass dominating, tonight we witnessed Electro Rock meets bass - meets driving guitar - meets hard edged guitar plus Indie hard assed dance sound. Think of an upmarket slick London version of the Berlin based Berghain Nightclub full to capacity, with the crowd staring on, immersed in the surround sound and stage experience, and you should get some idea of the score this evening.

Although, the aggressive attitude, political commentary and influence of Primal Scream, cannot be underestimated. Still resonant today 25 years on, the zeitgeist may differ, but arguably the more things change, the more they stay the same, despite us living in different times. Personally I have associates and friends of all political dimensions and religious denominations, and consequently both the political and war zeitgeist will always polarise and divide. Appropriately standing in the front row, my character though is never to cower, but to face front on! So don’t criticise me for coming to see this Scottish outfit who come from hard edged Glasgow, as we reflected back to the 2000s with drummer Darrin Mooney’s still very relevant beat of a generation!

Indeed, tonight was an amazing slick, video filled visual and frankly quasi-orchestral experience, like staring and standing into the eye of a musical storm. Bobby Gillespie on lead vocals delivered like a demigod to the audience, with his dudish moves, mic stances and his dead eyes driving into your soul. His commentary made the 64–year-old stage centre point, along with his lynch pin kings Andrew Innes on guitar and Butler on bass, who were also equally charismatic. The atmosphere was extraordinary, and these Scots were individualistic, direct and didn’t obfuscate, and I also loved the glamour that the vocal section brought to this so Indie equation.

Walking on at 8.45pm to Generation X's 'Ready Steady Go', the quartet kicked off the aforementioned eleven song album in track order with '’Kill All Hippies' plus a brass backing trio, followed by 'Accelerator' and 'Exterminator', delivering that pounding, Indie bass, raw original, Electro Techno Rock, which has spawned so many spin off imitators. Complemented by flashing and vivid visuals, anyone faint hearted and epileptic needed to look away!

The overtly political tracks 'Blood Money', again with a brass backing trio, was preceded by Bobby introducing the song and leaving the stage, while the Chemical Brothers remix version of 'Swastika Eyes', both saw the the visuals adding to the lyrical and musical politspeak. Showing images of swastikas inside Star of David’s rotating in the eyes of Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli political figures, in addition to other world leaders, including Javier Milei, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, this made for most uncomfortable viewing.

Despite the band later defending the display, stating “It is meant to provoke debate, not hate", the video was and would have been offensive to pro–Israeli and Jews in the audience with its juxtapositional imaging, managing to provoke controversy amongst the wider media.

'Shot Speed/Kill Light' added to the driving overload, and following the completion of 'XTRMNTR', they then changed gear and tone musically, returning for a five-song encore! The penultimate, 'Country Girl', saw Bobby getting the crowd to chant before the final verse and chorus, "Here We Fucking Go". While my personal anthemic dance favourite, 'Rocks', indeed saw me “Getting My Rocks off Honey" on this set closer.

Tonight, despite the politics, the entire band and videographers delivered an unforgettable evening. Nothing, but nothing will beat the live experience of being there. Indeed, my mate, a Primal Scream virgin, thought so too, as did the postgrad student next to me in the front row, who had come all the way to London from Mexico via Seville, especially to see them. Such is Primal Scream’s reach.

Review, Video and Photos: Denise Lester