The famous Barrowland Ballroom saw San Francisco psychedelic rockers The Brian Jonestown Massacre took to the stage alongside cinematic London rockers Project Gemini for the Scottish leg of the Jonestown’s UK tour.
The lengthy queue for the venue ended streets away from the doors, packed with excited fans- some even repping BJM frontman Anton Newcombe’s signature largely brimmed hat. When I entered the venue, Project Gemini had just taken to the stage, showcasing their ethereal groove and giving us a toe-tapping set. Their tracks featured strong basslines and funky drum arrangements paired with gentle, shoegaze-esque vocals. They are a band I can’t believe I had never heard before. Colours & Light is a must listen for fans of groove, fans of well executed percussion and of course, fans of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Upon catching up with the band after their set, they explained that the Barrowland Ballroom was a gig they couldn’t turn down, and expressed their gratitude for the audience enthusiasm that comes from a Scottish crowd. The audience responded very well to their set, with frequent encouragement between songs- it was apparent to me that these beautiful and powerful tracks have found a whole new fanbase of listeners, and I am excited to see what the future holds for Project Gemini.
Following a quick turnaround, the much-anticipated Brian Jonestown Massacre swanned onto the stage with their usual swagger, especially from percussionist Joel Gion and his extravagant sideburns. All the band members kept their shades on as if to remind us just how suave they are. They kicked off their set with a couple of familiar favourites, like Vacuum Boots from their 2008 album Take It From The Man. The band delivered us all aspects of their extensive 25-album discography, from the upbeat, heavier tracks like Pish to the gentle, more sultry tracks like Anemone.
Pictured- The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Throughout my time in the audience, I noticed that the vast majority didn’t take their phone out once, the crowd was a sea of dancers and swayers- it was refreshing to be in amongst people who were truly letting go and feeling the music. It was an experience as well as a gig, the lighting was modified for every song and reflected the atmosphere of all the tracks which I thought was a fabulous touch.
Anton Newcombe’s behaviour has caused a stir for years, particularly after the 2004 documentary Dig! that followed both BJM and Portland psychedelic rockers The Dandy Warhols. I spoke to a close employee of Newcombe, as I was interested in what he was like in real life. He told me that he wouldn’t work for someone just because it’s cool, and working for him doesn’t even feel like a job. He described Newcombe as a highly generous, caring and empathetic employer that will always lend a hand to aspiring artists if he believes in them, such as offering them recording time in his Berlin studio.
I had a fantastic evening at the Barrowland Ballroom, and I feel I speak for the rest of the audience when I say that I loved watching these multi-talented bands perform.