Primal Scream
Fremantle Prison, WA
Thursday, January 16th, 2025
When it comes to Primal Scream, there certainly does seem to be a Fremantle faithful, and as the Scottish band bounded into the grounds of Fremantle Prison, memories of their last Freo appearance at Metropolis in early 2018 no doubt sprang to mind. It was a joyful gathering in a hot church on that pre-COVID occasion, seeming to be much longer ago than it actually was.
The church would again be visited this very evening, but in balmy outdoor climes with a cooling breeze. As the venue filled and buzzed local band Wolves and Chocolate Bullets soundtracked the sundown with some smooth yet rough-and-ready blues and country rock.
Having seemingly concentrated on recording and releasing in the last few years, they’re still an unknown quantity to most, but they gave a strong showing given this was an enviable support slot but a difficult one to pull off when the headliner is so dearly beloved.
Image: Wolves and Chocolate Bullets Credit: Alan Holbrook
As the crew readied the stage for Primal Scream, the love that was swirling in the air felt exuberant if a wee bit impatient in a good-natured sense.
Bobby Gillespie welcomed the crowd into the opening song, “Swastika Eyes”, with open arms, then conducted the first of the evening’s many clap alongs. Innumerable shouts of “Bobby!” from the crowd indicated how revered the Tenement Kid really is, whether from fellow Scots or Antipodean fans. Andrew Innes was in a psychedelic brawl (the first of many), and the evening’s standard was set.
Soon enough the band segued into “Love Insurrection”, from their recently released 12th studio album, Come Ahead. Perceived wisdom states that a band with a 43-year history should only play a track or two from a new album, but with obvious confidence in their contemporaneousness, Primal Scream featured eight tracks (out of 11) from the new album throughout the tour.
Image: Primal Scream Credit: Alan Holbrook
That the Come Ahead LP is a delectable funk/soul platter certainly helps its transition to the stage; tracks such as the aforementioned “Love Insurrection” (with a bafflingly brilliant flute solo from multi-instrumentalist Alex White), “Deep Dark Waters”, “Circus of Life”, and “Innocent Money” sounded hypnotic and dancefloor-ready, and there was that soul. There’s always the soul. “Ready to Go Home” – Gillespie’s paean to his late father – showcased the multitude of strengths in the band’s songwriting and performance and featured the powers of the incredible backing vocalists, Roslyn Adonteng and Martha Evans.
Having enjoyed the beaches and the sights of Fremantle during the day, Gillespie spoke warmly. “This is momentous for us,” he stated. “I don’t know about you but it is for us. Fremantle Prison? I thought only Johnny Cash did this shit.” As the windows of the old cells poked out above the gathering, it provided an eerie frame to the good times happening on the ground below.
Image: Primal Scream Credit: Alan Holbrook
There were also, of course, some classic Primal Scream hits. “Jailbird” lit up the place early – all yours, mine and ours. “Loaded” was dedicated to its late, great producer Andrew Weatherall, and with the bass (Simone Butler was elegant and excellent throughout), keyboard line, maracas, and chilling backing vocals it became the dream you knew it always was.
“It’s a church of rock ’n’ roll, let’s break down the walls of Jericho,” Gillespie shouted as “Movin’ on Up” stirred the prison choir before the wonderfully Stones-esque “Country Girl” ended the set proper with a joyous rave-up.
The encores opened with their tender new ballad “Melancholy Man” before the Reverend Gillespie waved his hands to unify the congregation for “Come Together”, from 1991’s breakthrough album Screamadelica. Its soulful, sweet groove was complemented by Gillespie singing Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” over the top.
There was only one way to finish and that was with “Rocks”, which was dedicated to the late Bon Scott, who was once indeed a resident of Fremantle Prison. He was soulful, with a hint of cheekiness. Much like Primal Scream, really.
