Because, I Will Not Enyoy You Alone

...so (mis)types Sven Leiser aka @svenleiser7799, commenting on Slowdive's performance at Le YoYo in Paris on 14th November 2023, another edition of Echoes presented by Jehnny Beth and available on ARTE Concert's You Tube channel.

 

There's more: "Slowdive is not only a band. It's a miracle" opines Sven. "I hope, they come another time to Hamburg. Because, i will not enyoy you alone. Some friends, a lot of friends of me, will take part of you."

 

I'm hoping that latter statement is a 'lost in translation' reference to Sven bringing a group of friends to the gig next time Slowdive are in town, rather than an intention to dismember the band and take home body parts as sounvenirs for their individual Slowdive shrines in the cupboard under the stairs...

 

If it's the former, then Sven is in good company because the general consensus of the commenters all say pretty much the same thing, that Slowdive are a very good live band. And. on the strength of this 10-song set, they're absolutely right.

 

Shoegaze, as Jehnny notes during the first interview segment with Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead, was another one of those genres made up by music press journalists desperate to capture and define the next big thing. Neil acknowledges that whilst it's literal and a bit silly, it's something that the band has embraced. I dipped in and out of shoegaze music during it's heyday, some just didn't convince or persuade me, and whilst I enjoyed what I heard of Slowdive, I didn't really get into them deeply at the time.

Slowdive's first act ended in 1995. Again, interesting to hear Neil and Rachel talk about the end of the band, the chronological link with Alan McGee going into rehab and their disconnect from record label Creation with third album Pygmalion, the end of Slowdive and a rebirth of sorts with Mojave 3. 

Slowdive reformed 10 years ago, have released two further albums (most recently Everything Is Alive in 2023) and seem to be enjoying even greater popularity and acclaim during their second act.

 

After watching this show, it's easy to see why. The band are tight, the songs are great and Rachel and Neil's alternating vocals are spot on in the aural setting. Visually, Rachel seems to have fully embraced her teen goth roots. In the interview Neil recalls a shared love of The Cure but not The MIssion. "Let's not talk about bands we don't like," laughs Rachel.

If you've had a passing - or indeed, no - interest in Slowdive, take an hour out to watch this. If Slowdive was on your "don't like" list, then give it a try. If you already love Slowdive, then you'll need no persuading that you'll really enjoy this. Personally, in the 21st century, I've come to appreciate Slowdive more and more with each listen and this is a great show from a great band at the peak of their powers. 

00:00 Shanty

06:21 Catch The Breeze

11:02 Interview Part 1

13:33 Avalyn

17:59 Slouvaki Space Station

23:40 Interview Part 2

25:52 Sugar For The Pill

30:13 Slomo

37:11 Interview Part 3

39:59 Kisses

45:18 Alison

49:10  Interview Part 4

50:24 When The Sun Hits

55:19 40 Days