The mid-90s was somewhat of a renaissance for British indie-rock bands. Some would say that perhaps there hasn’t been a movement quite like it since.
Before the days of social media and streaming services bands like Kula Shaker, Oasis, Blur and Pulp rode the crest of the Brit Pop wave that swept across the UK.
On Monday evening, Brit Pop fans flocked to the Boiler Shop in Newcastle to witness the return of Kula Shaker. And despite competition in the city that evening from Paloma Faith who was playing up the road at the O2 City Hall a strong crowd was in attendance to witness the indie legends.
In the build-up to the headliners taking to the stage, Indian music played over the venue’s PA system and the smell of incense filled the room. Colourful floral arrangements were draped over amplifiers onstage, along with the keyboards and microphone stand.
Kula Shaker took to the stage to the sounds of Gaslighting, with the classic Hey Dude sandwiched between the opening track and Waves.
Frontman Crispian Mills was full of energy and led the charge throughout. The singer was bedecked in a black Indian robe.
The band’s psychedelic light show would have given Pink Floyd a run for their money. It perfectly complimented the band’s live aesthetic as colourful lava lamp-style projections filled the venue's walls. Each of which added a cinematic quality to the show
Kula Shaker’s latest album and tour signalled the return of keyboard/Hammond player Jay Darlington who had been performing alongside bands like Oasis. With Darlington back in the band, Kula Shaker united with their original line-up.
Kula Shaker are presently touring in support of their new album Natural Magick. Songs like their incredibly infectious recent single Indian Record Player highlighted the quality of the band's latest release.
Most of the set was taken from Kula Shaker’s new album and their debut release K, with a few deeper cuts included for good measure.
Recommended Reading:
- Interview with Crispin Mills ahead of Kula Shaker in Newcastle
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As the band headed towards the end of their main set, three tracks from their debut album nostalgically wrapped things up. The crowd sang wholeheartedly to 303. Whilst an atmospheric performance of Tattva was bordering on spiritual. The group even injected a bit of Hallelujah by the Happy Mondays into the song for good measure before concluding with Hush.
In the encore, Govinda united the band and the crowd in song and chanting. Mills’ voice sounded incredible throughout. The surprise track of the night was the band’s funky take on Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart, which worked so well.
On Monday evening, Kula Shaker delivered a set that was the perfect blend of past and present. The oldies, as if by Magick, transported the audience back to a time and a place. For me it was the old Riverside in 1996 and the release of the band’s first album.
It may be almost 30 years since the release of K, but based upon the band’s current prolific work ethic, with two albums in two years, and their latest release being lauded as one of the best albums of their career, the group are still going strong and showing no signs of slowing down.
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