My sister Carla and I attended The Beta Band's final gig at Edinburgh's Liquid Room back in December 2004. We have talked about it a few times over the years while reminiscing about our 'all-time favourite gigs/albums/songs' over a few drinks.
That show was utterly magical. If there was a script, then the band went off it to improvise jams and grooves. I have vague memories of Steve Mason ending the show topless, wearing a helmet (I think?) and rapping. But as it was 21-years ago, I could be wrong.
The Beta Band were off the wall and lost in their own world, it's what made them so special, so unique and so captivating - you just didn't know what they would do next, where they would take a song or a groove. What clothes or accessories they would wear, put on ... or take off!
When the band broke up, their statement said that; '... eight years of no success has taken its toll and the apple needs to fall from the tree to spread its seeds.'
Given the buzz around their reformation and ticket sales, it would appear that the seeds have grown. My friends and I were among a sold-out and rammed Barrowland for the opening night of the tour to find out what has bloomed ...
Django Django warmed things up by sharing DJ duties among themselves; Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The MVP's was among a number of choice tunes that were eclectic and cool.
After the DJ's departed, a series of clips of The Beta Band were projected on to the white screen at the back of the stage. Home video recordings, shots of them shooting videos - walking on the moon, driving stunt cars, fooling around, interspersed with clips of songs ... just to remind you how off the wall and how brilliant they were.
Not that anyone in the room needed reminding. Although I am sure there were a number of people who hadn't seen them live before. My friend joked that the age range was just slightly younger than a Teenage Fanclub gig. But that there were a lot more trucker caps in the audience!
Steve Mason, John MacLean, Richard Greentree and Robin Jones walked onstage, MacLean fired up his synths and samples board and Inner Meet Me started the night. Before long, band and audience were in the groove. Steve Mason is one of my favourite guitar players. The way he plays rhythm guitar in tandem to (or often leading) bass and beats is unique, while he plays inventive and fluid riffs at times, often to break the groove and take it off on a tangent.
The Barrowland roar welcomed and thanked the band afterwards and it was even louder after the follow up, She's The One For Me. Talking of going off in tangents, the way this song veers off into a groove is possibly my favourite moment in a Beta Band song.
Dressed in flight suits, The Beta Band were taking off and everyone was along for the ride. The visuals behind them ranged from psychedelic lighting, to softer Autumnal tones, perfect backdrops for the mellow grooves and freakier moments of the trip.
.jpeg)
There was little in the way of banter. The Beta Band were here to play. They switched between instruments, MacLean wove samples and effects into the live instruments, with Greentree's bass providing a solid groove foundation for the others to build and play upon.
Needles in My Eyes was beautiful, the slow bass rumbling intro was like Massive Attack, Mason's beautiful voice over the top made me think that he would be an amazing guest vocalist for the Bristol gang. But he has his own gang back!
Dogs Got a Bone was cool, while of course Dry the Rain was magical. The crowd sang every word, the refrain echoing around the Barrowland. It was a beautiful moment, band and audience as one.
If there's something inside that you wanna say
Say it out loud it'll be OK
I will be your light, I will be your light
I will be your light, I will be your light
One of my favourite Beta Band performances online is when they play B+A at Glastonbury (watch below). They stretched it out in a similar style, in no rush to launch into the groove, teasing with the riff and bongos, introducing the wah wah effects to the guitar .... then BOOM ... into the groove that went on and on.
Closing, after pausing for a brief encore, with a sublime Squares and then The House Song, The Beta Band had reminded everyone (perhaps even themselves) of their off the wall, psychedelic brilliance.
