Concert Review: The Jesus and Mary Chain – Powerstation March 4, 2019

Precisely 3 years to the day after they performed their much beloved debut album, Psychocandy at Auckland’s Powerstation, the Jesus and Mary Chain returned to show off the rest of their catalogue.

For many of us of a certain age, three years tends to fly by, so it seemed that it was not that long ago the the Reid brothers brought their act to the Powerstation, which might explain why the venue wasn’t quite as crowded as it was back in 2016.

Also, their 1985 album, Psychocandy, is, indeed , a classic, and the opportunity to hear it played in its entirety was just too good to miss.

But JAMC haven’t just been resting on their laurels since then, releasing the Youth-produced Damage And Joy in March of 2017. And it was the lead-off track, Amputation, from that album, that got things going last night.

In addition to Jim Reid (vocals) and William Reid (guitar), the band now consists of second guitarist Scott Von Ryper, bass player Mark Crozier and Brian Young on drums, a line-up that has been consistent for a number of years now.

After a trip back to the 80s for three songs, the band returned to Damage And Joy for Black And Blues and Mood Rider. By this time it became apparent that the group’s signature wall of distortion had been toned down and they often sounded downright punky, more Ramones than Velvet Underground.

Jim Reid remained an enigma, a shadow on stage who said very little between songs, but otherwise sounded his snarling self. William Reid and his shock of white hair, stood back and let his guitar do the talking.

Interestingly, the set list shied away from Psychocandy, resulting, in what I thought, was a fresher sound for the band. After the show, fans seemed divided on whether this was a better show that the one they saw three years ago. For me, I think this one comes out ahead by a nose.

With Jim Reid announcing the last song of the set, though, “It need not be”, the quintet launched into a thrilling version of Reverence, the opening track from their 1992 album, Honey’s Dead.

Then for the encore, finally came that unmistakable Ronettes’ drumbeat that announces Just Like Honey. It was sublime.

The encore turned into a mini second set, with five songs played including one more from Psychocandy, In A Hole, and one last one from Damage And Joy, the solemn War On Peace.

“This really is the last song”, announced Jim Reid, “thanks for coming, hope you enjoyed it”, as they closed with I Hate Rock ‘n’ Roll from 1998’s Munki.

See you again in three years!

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Rachel Webb:

Jesus and Mary Chain set list:

1. Amputation
2. April Skies
3. Head On
4. Blues From A Gun
5. Black And Blues
6. Mood Rider
7. Far Gone & Out
8. Between Planets
9. Snakedriver
10. Teenage Lust
11. All Things Must Pass
12. Some Candy Talking
13. Halfway To Crazy
14. Darklands
15. Reverence
16. Just Like Honey
17. Cracking Up
18. In A Hole
19. War On Peace
20. I Hate Rock ‘n’ Roll