McQueen rock the Georgian
As part of the international Stockton Fringe Festival, the "Burn" Club Night at the Georgian Theatre hosted several rock and metal acts, McQueen being 3rd on the bill along with Burning Rest, Defy - a band that probably had their mothers waiting outside in the car - and Red Stars Parade. The venue itself is suitably dark and moody. The room was fairly charged, with a huge crush at the bar! It's certainly great to see McQueen back in the UK after their extensive touring in Europe; even better to see them up north.
McQueen march onto the stage, confident as always, to the Great Escape theme tune, and open with "Not for Sale". The crowd cheers and shouts as McQueen move on to their signature track, "Running out of things to say". This certainly began to move the crowd. The sound is suitably loud and well mixed, which can't have been easy given the age and size of the room.
Two new songs made it on to the list that night: "Dirt" and "Line went Dead". Both has the classic McQueen sound - punky, angry, sweaty lyrics and roaring guitars. All the favourites were there too: "Numb", "Blinded", "Break the Silence" and "Neurotic". As always, McQueen play out to their classic ballad, "Bitch". The smiles on their faces are challenged only by the applause and cheers from the crowd.
Time and again, McQueen never fail to enjoy themselves and it's this very passion for their music that makes them such a spectacle to witness. Cat's guitar playing was frenetic and I pity the poor McQueen drum kit. By rights, there should be nothing left of it after Hayley's drum solo. Indeed, the excellent sound she consistently creates can be measured not only with one's ears, but by looking at the tattered remains of her drumsticks.
The crowd were a mixed bag throughout the night. There was no crush at the front of stage sadly, but everyone was standing up and taking notice. And how could they not? McQueen's performance tonight was certainly one of their best. It's no wonder "multiple orgasms" appears in brackets next to "Bitch" on the set list!