Gene Live Review by Ryan Beardsley
Saturday night in Camden Town, what better place for a Britpop revival as 1995 NME New Act Award winners Gene continue their comeback tour after a 20-year hiatus. Originally, the band got it back together to mark the 30th anniversary of their magnum opus, Olympian, but the shows were such a success both for the fans and the band that a full tour was a no brainer.
The Roundhouse is packed to the rafters as Gene take to the stage and tear into Be My Light, Be My Guide, and the adoring crowd surges forward. Frontman Martin Rossiter has often been considered an acquired taste, and it’s no secret that, as a band, they’ve struggled to shake off the ‘Smiths-lite’ tag that dogged them in the 90s, and to be honest, it’s difficult to ignore the comparison at times. From the voice and the mannerisms right down to the witty repartee with the audience, it’s somewhat uncanny, but is that such a bad thing? A band clearly influenced by arguably the best group of all time is still going to be better than most.
Another undeniable truth is how delighted the band clearly is to be on stage and playing again. Guitarist Steve Mason can barely hide his grin at times, and this enthusiasm is infectious as a packed Roundhouse sings along to every word for a band who never got the respect they deserved ™. We Could Be Kings from sophomore effort Drawn To The Deep End is triumphant and fitting, considering the aforementioned sentiment, and the poignancy is not lost.
Rossiter’s voice has maintained its delicate beauty, and he can still hit that falsetto; it’s gentle and tender, but when a chorus requires belting out, he can still give it large, as we discover on Truth, Rest Your Head.
But it’s the more melancholic songs, and God knows Gene have plenty of those in the armoury, that really captivate North London tonight. Save Me, I’m Yours and Where Are They Now, odes to breakups and lost love, have men of a certain demographic standing arm in arm crooning every word.
There’s no lack of self-awareness as before they wheel out the new material Rossiter lets his devoted fans know now might be the time to hit the bar, but it’s actually pretty good, could a most unexpected new album be on the cards?
As we reach the crescendo, it’s clear to see why they were considered Britain’s next big thing in the mid 90s, banger after banger reflects what could or perhaps should have been. Speak To Me Someone, Sleep Well Tonight before Fighting Fit provides another fitting moment for the occasion as Rossiter belts out “I can’t take it, I’m still young!” and tonight they look it and are playing like they want to be up there all night.
An utterly triumphant Olympian ends the night fittingly, and those around me are emotional at having had the chance to see their heroes again when they probably thought it would never happen, and the band has responded in kind with a show those fans will never forget.
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