The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Ritz. 4th February 2023

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are one of those bands who I struggle with song titles for, or album titles, or remembering which songs come from which albums. Maybe which albums I’ve not heard in a while or haven’t heard at all. It all seems like unnecessary logistics. The entire point in this band and their sound, at least to me, is to throw all reference points out of the nearest window. Leave that window open or better still knock its frame out of the wall. This music is to be immersed in, to the point that you’ll float out of that once window into a joyous release. I had a scare on the way here, as my car lost all its electrics, turning it into an uncontrollable deathbox rolling down one of Manchesters busiest roads. I managed to roll to safety and got it going again thankfully, this is not a gig to miss. They’re just starting as I walk in the packed room. My blood pressure dropping instantly, this is bliss. The perfect medicine. Antons hippy stoner vocals, those long instrumentals where they hit a gorgeous groove. This is what live music is about. Bands like this, you need to be in the room. It’s a sound all about being in it together. So much so that Anton is happy to abort when something isn’t quite right with the bass and start again. Double denim, a wide brim hat and cowboy boots, he couldn’t really look more American, but he is and so is this music. It’s dusty campfire by a forgotten highway music. Tight and dry, the rhythm locked in to an effortless dream, as the harmonies wash over the top and those pitched guitars and tambourine dance and make us all drift off in collective wonder. It’s a varied set, but then there’s a lot of albums (I’ve stopped counting). There’s stuff I’d like to hear that doesn’t get played, but no complaints, there’s a bit of everything. Including plenty off the new LP, which is awesome. For all the chilled feeling behind this lot, they pack a lot of punch and there’s quite a lot going on, lots of layers, seven guitars on some songs. I can see how it could be tricky to pull off live and they do lose their way occasionally. “One of you is off. It doesn’t matter who”. Good to see that Anton hasn’t lost any of his prickliness. The crowd though are totally united. Swaying and bobbing in sync, well aside one bloke with a feather boa who’s just losing his shit and punching the air. Go for it fella, this is music to get lost in. ‘Anenome’ sparks a full audience singalong, it sounds magnificent. Hundreds of voices locked in and reverberating around the Ritz’s walls. It chirps Anton up too, who does a little dance before leading into ‘The Future is Your Past’. It’s not far off a 2 hour set. This isn’t my first time with BJM, but it might be the best. They sound amazing. They’ll be back in Manchester later this year headlining Psych Fest. You should be there.