Review: Electric Six - Limelight, Belfast

Almost a year to the day since they last skilfully satisfied Belfast with their ridiculously infectious brand of dance-rock, Electric Six return to our shores once more, this time to honour the tenth anniversary of their breakthrough album, Fire – the same record that produced easily their most recognisable singles to date. The question remains, however: will performing this landmark release, live, in its entirety, impress anywhere near much as their totally triumphant effort last year?

Due it being billed as an early show, exasperatingly effervescent support in the form of Belfast four-piece Wonder Villains is played out to a decent, ever-forming crowd. Whilst the young band’s suspiciously incessant starry-eyed shtick leaves one craving a reality check in the form of our headline band tonight, it’s fair to say the crowd aren't completely disinterested; the four-piece availing of applause following each of their songs, including recent single ‘TV’. Sadly though, it all feels a bit incongruent and, as a result, the choice of support feels misjudged.

Alas, the main event. Opening via a raucous – not to mention altogether unexpected – cover of The Osmonds' ‘Crazy Horses’, Electric Six emerge to a response indicative of tonight’s strong turnout. As to whether the opener would “go down” or not, that, too, was never in doubt. Electric Six know their market almost as much as their fans know them: continuing via the likes of The Doors-esque ’Hello! I See You!’ – taken from their latest album – effortlessly compelling frontman Dick Valentine commands the crowd from the get-go and dryly states they are contractually obliged to play their first album.



And so it begins: single ‘Dance Commander’ kicks things off, the energy totally shifts and the crowd instantly let loose, forming into a bobbing wave of happy faces, flinging shapes and carelessly slugging overpriced beer with gusto. ‘Naked Pictures Of Your Mother’ ups the ante yet some more before arguably the band’s most recognisable single, ‘Danger! High Voltage’ trawls fond (if not hazy) memories from last year, remarkably feeling just that little bit more thrilling in the process. Naturally, the band’s faithful are as adoring as ever, the glam-punk groove of ‘She’s White’ and the ridiculously funky ‘Improper Dancing’ – concluding on a jubilant “Yes!” from Valentine – proving mid-set highlights.

With the once ubiquitous ‘Gay Bar’ proving yet another anticipated peak, the crowd fit yet more snugly in the palm of Valentine’s hand, his tongue-in-cheek “We’re just back from Scotland and you know what? It sucks. It’s full of horrible people” making the crowd feel just a bit more extra special. Now a veteran of sorts, Valentine has this particular angle down to something of a fine art tonight, as he and his band move on to the so-called “deep cuts” of Fire, not to mention fan favourites including ‘Down At McDonnelzzz’ and the piano-led ‘I Buy The Drugs’. With the banter proving brilliantly absurd throughout and an encore including the skilfully slow-paced ‘Germans In Mexico’ proving a fitting conclusion, Valentine remarks, "Electric Six give you everything. Electric Six wants to touch you". As if it was ever in doubt that they do – and then some.

Brian Coney