The Stranglers

Now into their 51st touring year, The Stranglers have survived many of the very worst things that can happen to a band – acrimonious exits, retirement, and sudden death – yet they have always persevered.

Their immense and impressive back catalogue stretches through the decades from their 1977 debut album ‘Rattus Norvegicus’ to 2021’s ‘Dark Matters’.

Barreling out of the UK’s pub rock scene of the 70s The Stranglers, with an aggressive ethos, were quickly regarded as part of the nascent punk scene of the middle of that decade. But several things set them apart. Rarely following a singular genre The Stranglers’ prominent swirling keys, melodious basslines and rasping, oft-incisive lyrics melded elements of their pub-rock roots with those of new wave with a touch of art rock pursued by the likes of XTC.

At the Bristol Beacon, for 90-minutes we are treated to an absolute masterclass with a consummate mixture of singles renown and cuts from deeper levels from a career spanning 18 studio albums and 51 singles.

The majestic tones of Edith Paif’s ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ get the Beacon gently swaying before the mayhem. The keyed intro of ‘Goodbye Toulouse’, courtesy of most recent addition Toby Hounsham joined by the percussive forces of the earthquaking Jim McAuley the scene is set for the trademark bass ruminations of sole-remaining founder Jean-Jacques Burnel. Frontman Baz Warnes takes to the fray battering riffs from his Telecaster.

Warnes leads the men in black in storming the bastions with the feral offering ‘Straighten Out’ and the pairing of the hooky ‘Was It You?’ and the ageless classic ‘Skin Deep’.

‘15 Steps’ with an enjoyable rockabilly shuffle is follwed by a searing rendition of ‘5 Minutes’. The bassist leads on ‘Instead of This’ and the 60s vibe of ‘Thrown Away’ in addition to the pulsing ‘White Stallion’.

Then ‘Strange Little Girl’ and the seemingly immortal ‘Golden Brown’. Cradling his black Telecaster Warnes despatches those memorable lines whilst Burnel’s bass quakes gently; before ‘Pin Up’ and the unmistakable strains of ‘Peaches’.

The stomping of ‘Mercury Rising’ keeps the set ticking along into the latter stages and ‘Something Better Change’ leads the charge into the closing stages. Anthem ‘Duchess’ bleeds into a scorching ‘Hanging Around’ as the main set ends.

The band return for an encore treble that begins with the gentle uplifting delicate tone of ‘Always the Sun’.

The 12-bar rock ‘n’ roll shuffle of ‘Mean to Me’ is a complete surprise, an obscure tune found on the 1978 ‘Black And White’ album. Warne starts off the tune as a guitar solo which is like T.Rex and then he really lays into the instrument. This is where glam rock meets punk rock via Dr Feelgood.

There is only one song to finish the night off, and they end with the legendary ‘No More Heroes’.

This wasn’t a mere nostalgia act—it was a master class from a band whose skills have only sharpened over five decades. After 51 years, punk isn’t dead; it just rocks bigger amps and delivers its message with unwavering precision.