Anja Huwe the singer from German goth pioneers Xmal Deutschland has spent a lot of time away from music since Xmal split in the 1990s, she’s been everything from TV editor to artist. Recently though there’s been a rekindling of musical interest and a new solo album Codes arrived early last year and there were also rereleases of Xmal singles. Since the Anja has been criss crossing Europe gigging with her new outfit.
Tonight they come out, gothic from the outset under heavy colourful lights with dark keys and tribal drums creating a ambience from the off. Its a mixture of new solo material and Xmal tracks, about half of each. Dark and brooding for sure but also featuring moments where a lightness of touch and melody let it all float upwards to the impressive rafters of the Albert Hall. It’s clear Anja owns the stage, eyeing the audience directly and holding her own. Anja states that it seems apt to be singing this music in what was once a church and there is that almost religious quality to the songs.
The Psychedelic Furs also know how to control the stage, they have a seasoned feel to them, they know the poses and the movements, they’ve been hitting all this up since the1980s. But, and as seen at the forever Now Festival earlier this year, where many off their contemporaries sounded retro or even dated, the Furs sound like they own that 80s sound. It’s almost as if they couldn’t be any different.
Their gravitas and stage craft aside the songs are performed with a vigour younger bands would envy. They hit up many long time favourites and some surprises as well. Pretty in Pink is saved for near the ned of the set and causes spontaneous singing along and dancing but for me star of the show is one of the oldest, India, which is held back for a final encore track. This song keeps pounding into your head, it sounds simple but repetition is the trick here. A track that grows in energy as it burrows into your mind until band they are thanking the audience again and are off.
WORDS RICHIE YATES
PHOTO CREDIT NEIL WINWARD
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