REVIEW: The Jesus and Mary Chain at Cosmosis Festival, Manchester

YESTERDAY saw Victoria Warehouse in Manchester host this years Cosmosis Festival. Natalie Rees runs her eye over The Jesus and Mary Chain…

Legendary Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain began their headline slot at midnight in front of a packed crowd at the ‘Air’ stage.

The adoring crowd welcomed the five piece’s highly anticipated exclusive performance with a cheer, before frontman Jim Reid introduced their first track ‘April Skies’, the first track off their second album released back in 1987, exemplifying the impact and longevity the band’s records have had in the industry.

https://twitter.com/morganhornx/status/708985466771656704

The post-punk outfit, who reformed in 2007 after eight years apart, soaked the capacity venue space in their distinctive thrashing guitar sounds as they continued to play ‘Head On’, ‘Far Gone and Out’ and ‘Between Planets’.

The band’s impact on musical culture has its roots in The Jesus and Mary Chain’s hugely influential seminal debut record ‘Psychocandy’, the 30^th anniversary of which was celebrated last year by a five date UK tour.

The crowd danced through the set, with some enjoying re-living their youth through records ‘Snakedriver’, ‘Cracking Up’ and ‘Teenage Lust’, before the headliners played more recent material including ‘All Things Must Pass’, featured in the soundtrack of TV series ‘Heroes’.

Wish I was still @TheMaryChain this was an epic gig! Thanks @CosmosisFestMcr pic.twitter.com/pUr3SzMqHt

— FACTORY ACTS (@FactoryActs) March 13, 2016

The anthemic ‘Some Candy Talking’ followed, certainly a crowd favourite of the song writing brothers Jim and William Reid, who’s inspiration evolves from artists including The Velvet Underground and The Shangri-La’s.

‘Just Like Honey’, the third single from ‘Psychocandy’ was played next, the album which boasts the original drummer Bobby Gillespie, who has since become synonymous with fellow Creation Records rockers Primal Scream. The set finished with ‘Taste Of Cindy’ and ‘It’s So Hard’.

Last night was insane! Thank you #TheJesusandMaryChain @CosmosisFestMcr what a magical place. pic.twitter.com/5Ol7ALOFH3

— GOAT Music (@goatmusicLDN) March 13, 2016