I first saw Lloyd with the Commotions at Wembley Arena when they were at the height of their fame. Beloved by the indy crowd and pushing into the Mainstream, but not quite cementing a place there. His status as a worthy singer songwriter was undeniable- his ability to front a rock band and all the songs was in question. The gig did nothing to answer the doubts. the best songs sounded great, the rest were lost in the unforgiving open spaces of the arena. Tonight the set was simple, no frills, just the music in one of the UK’s very best concert auditoriums

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Lyrically he is as dense, and obtuse, and inspired at times as Bob Dylan, but lacking the conviction and punch of Elvis Costello or Graham Parker whilst revelling in the wry word play so beloved of Neil tenant, his obvious contemporary peer was Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy, “National Express” could easily be a Cole song.

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His four piece band on the road (including himself on bass), was in support of his On Pain album. Starring Commotions co-founders Blair Cowan and Neil Clark, and Icelandic drummer Signy Jakobsdottir. and consisted of a semi-acoustic first part and an electric second half straddling material from his entire career.

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The Buxton opera House has always been a home town gig for him even though he moved to America to marry Elizabeth in 1989 and resides now in Easthampton Massachusetts. Whilst not established at the top table of rock and pop, none the less he has carved out a respectable career, always recording and touring and writing film soundtrack material.  Tonight he name checked his English teacher, He grew up in nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith and went to New Mills Comprehensive School. In new York he worked with Fred Maher and Robert Quine of Lou reed and the Voidoids fame. I always have the sense that Cole harbour a desire to have been a part of that New York scene.

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What was the show like?

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To a die hard fan like me it was musical heaven. lloyd played what he fancied, how he fancied, with only a handful of classic favourites and the off beat treats served up in spades. That is what you get at a Cole concert. thirty two songs of them. Lloyd looked dressed as a waiter on cruise ship, with some of the delivery akin to a cruise ship house band at the worst, but generally with a smile on his face and his tongue in his cheek.

To the casual observer it was dreary, and lacked pace and dynamism and could not be saved by the gems. but this evening was for the converted, not a recruitment drive for new fans.

1. Set 1
2. Don’t Look Back(
3. Mr. Malcontent(
4. Trigger Happy
5. On Pain
6. Why I Love Country Music
7. Headlights
8. No More Love Songs
9. My Other Life
10. 2cv
11. Undressed
12. Tried to Rock
13. Rattlesnakes
14. Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?

1. Set 2
2. No Blue Skies
3. Night Sweats
4. Minor Character
5. Violins
6. Blue Like Mars
7. Mister Wrong
8. Pay for It
9. Perfect Skin
10. Wolves
11. Perfect Blue
12. Myrtle and Rose
13. The Idiot
14. Brand New Friend(
15. Forest Fire(
16. Encore:
17. The Young Idealists
18. Mainstream(

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Wembley Arena, 17th April 1988

Thirty five years earlier, a much shorter set reflecting only two albums of recorded material

Set list

1. From the Hip
2. Charlotte Street
3. Love Your Wife
4. Lonely Mile
5. Rattlesnakes
6. Perfect Skin
7. Perfect Blue
8. Hey Rusty
9. My BagP
10. Sean Penn Blues
11. Forest Fire
12. Speedboat