Echo & The Bunnymen - Live at the o2 Academy, Bristol - 20th February 2022

Never ones to undersell their legacy, Echo And The Bunnymen’s current tour is billed as, ‘celebrating 40 years of magical songs,’ which seems harsh on early singles ‘The Pictures On My Wall’ and ‘Rescue’ (released in 1979 and 1980 respectively).

Of course, this is pedantry in the extreme, not least because the UK tour was originally scheduled for last summer, and more obviously because ’43 years’ doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Either way, it’s not an invalid claim. Eschewing a support band (instead giving the legendary Alan McGee the opportunity to show off his musical taste, playing everything from David Bowie to his new proteges The Gulps in a DJ set), it soon becomes apparent as to why: it’s a big setup that takes up the entire stage, with six players in total.

Although ostensibly now only made up of two full-time members (Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant), there is only so much the pair can do and so the live players ably provide the scale that the songs require.

Looking resplendent in a trademark black overcoat, McCulloch rarely moves from his position at front and centre of stage, and asks for some help from the audience early on in the set.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/2022/02/echo-and-the-bunnymen-live-bristol/