Photo: Thanira Rates
Creation Records’ indie heroes Ride sold tonight’s gig out within minutes of going on sale. This sustained interest in the band, even though it’s 20 years since they last played live, reflects the fact their music has grown in significance since they’ve been away.
Whilst they were charting in the early 90s, the path they've carved out for other bands makes them an important landmark in the history of British pop. Their combination of cavernous guitars similar to My Bloody Valentine and dreamy jangle pop melodies that reflect the band's appreciation for The Smiths, paved the way for the likes of Oasis and Primal Scream. Moreover, new bands such as Swim Deep and Childhood can be heard taking cue from them.
With albums that still sound cutting edge today, hearing new material is of no interest to anyone tonight and their sound is most greatly treasured on their first two albums, which they draw heavily from during their set. Their flop of a third album is completely eschewed whilst their final album, Tarantula, is lightly touched upon.
The dazzling fan-oriented set is belted out from quite an understated stage set up. Just a huge banner with the band name in capitals make up the backdrop where the four-piece perform with typical nonchalant cool. Of the four Oxford lads, guitarist and co-vocalist Andy Bell is most enigmatic.
His time as bassist in Oasis and Beady Eye means his Paul Weller-esque style is remarkably intact. He's also responsible for the inevitable Pretty Green and Fred Perry garments sported by quite a large number of people in the crowd. Meanwhile, frontman Mark Gardener, who was the heartthrob of the band in the 90s with his floppy hair, wears a large black hat and lazy black t shirt that de-mystifies his iconic status somewhat.
In spite of this, the sound of a myriad guitar pedals combining with airy pop vocal hooks, that are catchiest on ‘Vapour Trail' and set closer ‘Chelsea Girl’ transport us to 1990. It's enough to remind us that bands as accomplished as this don’t come around very often in a decade.
Ride played:
Leave Them All Behind
Like a Daydream
Polar Bear
Seagull
Sennen
Cool Your Boots
Black Nite Crash
Twisterella
OX4
Dreams Burn Down
Time of Her Time
Chrome Waves
Paralysed
Taste
Vapour Trail
Drive Blind
Encore:
Close My Eyes
Mouse Trap
Chelsea Girl
