IN PRAISE OF THE OLDER ARTIST
Like most music fans, there’s nothing I love more than discovering an exciting new artist. Particularly if they’re local. I’m long in the tooth, but new music or new artists can still give me the same buzz I had when I was first getting into music as a teenager.
But one of the few benefits of age is gaining perspective. That’s why, when I heard the new Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark album ‘Bauhaus Staircase’, it reminded me that in the rush to discover ‘the new’, we shouldn’t ignore the treasures we already have. This doesn’t mean we should celebrate an artist just because of a long career, but rather a plea to appreciate an artist beyond their first flush of youth.
I first saw OMD 45 years ago at Liverpool’s renowned post-punk venue Eric’s. Andy and Paul stood on stage with a tape machine they called Winston, filling the venue with their quirky off-kilter electro-pop. They then went on to have a successful ‘pop’ career, although seemed quietly subversive throughout. Following up their massively successful ‘Architecture and Morality’ album with the unsettling gem that was ‘Dazzle Ships’ almost killed their career, but now it’s rightly cited as a huge influence for many. Flash forward to now and OMD are currently taking ‘Bauhaus Staircase’ on a stadium tour, an incredible fourteen albums later.
OMD isn’t the only band I’ve followed since I was a kid, blagging my way into covering Liverpool music for The NME. Throughout his career with The Pale Fountains, Shack and more, Michael Head has been widely acknowledged as one of the great British songwriters of the last 40 years. Sadly, his song writing genius was paired with an erratic lifestyle, meaning his career was never stable enough to get the attention his music merited. Thankfully, Mick turned his life around for 2022 album ‘Dear Scott’, which deservedly brought him his first top ten record ever. I’ve even been lucky enough to hear tracks from his next album (due 2024) – let the accolades roll in!
Other graduates from the Eric’s scene are still making their mark too. I first saw Echo and the Bunnymen play there, before gracing prestigious venues including Royal Court, St George’s Hall and even, on one occasion, a secret gig in the back room of the Monro pub.
And how can we forget Liverpool’s own Holly Johnson reuniting with his Frankie Goes To Hollywood bandmates for Eurovision? Taking place outside St George’s Hall as part of the Eurovision celebrations earlier this year, it was as if the band had never left, elating fans with a fresh rendition of ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’. Also joining them on this star-studded line-up were more scouse favs The Lightning Seeds and 70s soul group The Real Thing.
My favourite band of the last 20 years are undoubtedly The Coral. First seeing them live at the Zanzibar back in 2000, their shows at present are just as extraordinary. Like the obsessive fan I am, I bought their first album again when it was released on coloured vinyl last year (even though my existing CD copy worked fine). I’m not sure anything will ever match the thrill I got when I first heard their magnificently moody debut single, ‘Shadows Fall’. However, their latest LP ‘Sea of Mirrors’ is just as creative (and yes, I bought that on coloured vinyl too).
There are so many more I could mention. Rebecca Ferguson returns 13 years since her appearance on the X Factor; The Farm’s new single has just been playlisted on BBC Radio 2, Cast have an upcoming new album, Ian Prowse is a fixture on the UK live circuit, as are China Crisis and The Christians. Even Nigel Blackwell does the odd gig with cult heroes Half Man Half Biscuit. I haven’t even touched on electronic music here, but as a city region we are also blessed. Greg Wilson is still delighting crowds everywhere, not to mention the innovative careers of Camelphat, Yousef and Craig Charles.
Of course, I will always be on the lookout for new artists. Nothing beats that rush of excitement when discovering fresh music at a gig or listening at home. But when it comes down to it, great music is great music. For me, these artists are just a few of many, gently reminding us that ‘the old’ can be just as exciting as ‘the new’.
Written by Kevin McManus
