Dave Formula and Noko play Magazine- Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

For the die hard fans of the era. The original line up of the Magnificent magazine is now represented by only Dave Formula on keyboards. Bassist  Barry Adamson is now a film soundtrack composer, guitarist McGeough is dead, drummer John Doyle is a graphic artist and frontman Howard Devoto now aged 74,  “Just got tired”

Noko on guitar is a long time collaborator, but for this tour, Max, Formula’s son is on drums, Frenchman Peter is on vocals, his son Tim on bass. They are all terrific.

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I regarded Magazine as being Punk Prog, with Dave Formula’s keyboards and intricate extended  arrangements to the fore and so it was once again

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The big surprise is Peterson on vocals. Could Devoto ever be replaced?  Yes. Peterson has a certain gallic Je ne sais quoi and style which is perfect for the role. He pointed out when we were chatting post gig that Devoto frequently used French phrases and quotes anyway

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The setlist is a meticulously constructed best of. I recall going round to my late friend Petes’ house as a teenager, and listening to Real Life, Secondhand daylight, and Songs from under the Floorboards, and it was just like being back at Pete’s hous  forty eight years later .

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“Now that I’m out of touch with anger- now I have nothing to live up to-I think we’ve been forced to our knees, but I cant tell”

“The border guards smile unconvincingly”

“Shadows flicker, sweet entrée, dancing like crazy mourners”

“I will drug you, and fuck you- on the permafrost”

Hearing these lines again was exquisite- Peter Petersen’s addition ;

“Garcon, l’addition sil vous plait” was genius.

The opening “Thin Air” was ethereal, “Back to nature” barnstorming, “Parade” probably the highlight and the  one/two finish of Definitive gaze/ Shot by Both Sides” showstopping.

Thanks for the memories Dave and Noko , and for bringing this great music back to life again with such a great band.

The Thin Air

Back to Nature

Give Me Everything

Sweetheart Contract

Motorcade

The Great Beautician in the Sky

Feed the Enemy

Rhythm of Cruelty

Cut‐Out Shapes

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Model Worker

Permafrost

Parade

A Song From Under the Floorboards

the Light Pours Out of Me

Twenty Years Ago

Definitive Gaze

Shot by Both Sides

And to cap it all the band came out post gig to chat to the fans. Tim was needlessly anxious that the fans were tracking every bass note ( he didnt put one wrong) and Max, was rock steady on the drums. Dave was charming and generous with his time, Pete as engaging offstage as he was onstage

A brilliant night