Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
The beat never fades, the sound of Merseyside, of Liverpool alleyways, of the grasp of the real and the determination to show that everything in life is valuable, that it has a reason to be there; all is revealed when Space get up on stage and rock the joint to its foundations.
Having been on tour since the middle of November, to come back home and perform in a venue that offers musicians so much scope, so much entertaining backdrop to each lyrical syllable that can be ground out of each instrument, is surely the success that all performers ain for; the sound of their own enjoying what surely must be considered amongst the very best of nights in the year.
With Phil Hartley prowling the perimeter of the Epstein stage like Aslan protecting the world of Narnia, ever watchful, ever graceful and bounding like a gazelle with the world at its feet in time to the drop dead gorgeous notes of anguish, joy and celebration by Tommy Scott, Franny Griffiths and the near masterful display of drum elegance by Allan Jones, this was definitely a set in which to have been within its vicinity was an honour; a moment of cool definition that sparkled brighter than a Christmas Tree with it’s roots tapped into the national grid.
Opening the night with songs such as Charlie M, Drop Dead and Mister Psycho, Space gave all in the audience early and welcome Christmas presents throughout the evening. Presents that highlighted what the band continues to mean to the people of Liverpool, that like so many of their cohorts and groups that continue to keep Liverpool in the public eye with good intentions, the music is a way of escape and of binding all in favour of making the city beside the Mersey one of the most cultured in the world.
The unwrapping of lyrical presents continued as songs such as Begin Again, The Ballad of Tom Jones, the new single Strange World, the ever implored beauty of Female of the Species, Neighbourhood and a blistering version of The Animals hit We’ve Got To Get Out Of This Place all broke hearts and fused strength within the exuberant and very highly spirited crowd.
Some nights are just meant to be, they are written in the stars and like Liverpool winning the European Cup, Everton skilfully being the best around under Howard Kendall and the Liver Birds constantly keeping a watch over the city, once set in stone, once the image of blinding brilliance is set, nothing can ever take it away. Space were on the type of form that just blows everything else away and for those in the Epstein audience, it was surely a privilege to be there.
Ian D. Hall