Geordie Greep at Liquid Rooms

By: Alvar Ekeus

On Sunday the 30th of March, Geordie Greep and his band blessed listeners with banter, jams, and an overall sunny time. Playing at Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh, which doubles as an infamous night club for the younger generations, seven band members (including Greep) confidently showcased their talent and musical interconnectedness. They were joined by openers Knats who proudly celebrated Newcastle F.C’s EFL cup win with interludes of jazzy tunes.

Just the second stop of Greep’s UK tour, and fresh off dozens of international dates, often playing with different musicians and arrangements, I was uncertain what to expect. But it was a sunny day in Edinburgh and after the usual pre-concert ritual, we made our way to the venue. We found a surprisingly long line of various ages, but mostly male, and a great variety of band t-shirts. Due to unfortunate circumstances, a member of my group was on crutches. More luckily, we therefore got to skip the line and were actually the first people in the concert hall. 

At 6:45 the joyous Knats took the stage, branding their Newcastle scarfs and big smiles. Their debut album Knats had released just 2 days before the gig. It was clear they were keen and very excited to be on tour. Bassist Stan Woodward guided the audience through a handful of songs, providing small anecdotes about each song. Joined by keys, trumpet, drums, and a powerful saxophone, the Knats successfully got the room moving. Lasting a solid 45 minutes, ‘Totruga (For Me Mam)’ was the standout song. A 6 minute long tune written for Woodward’s mother.

After a 30 minute wait, the main theme from 80’s UK gangster film The Long Good Friday started playing. The band started making their way to the stage, consisting of guitarist, bassist (also played double bass), cellist, saxophonist, and keyboardist. We were now only waiting for Greep himself. The band (clutching their Staropramen cans) dressed in various attires but all seemed confident in their own skin, started to jam along with the intro theme. Greep then walked on, and the band fittingly dived into ‘Walk Up’. In suit jacket and trousers, Greep took centre stage. 

After the first song, which followed closely with the studio recording, I expected Greep and his crew to take us through the rest of the album with little jams and variation. I should have known better, because ‘Terra’ and ‘The New Sound’ followed. 

Swaying from the original structure of both songs, the band jammed, and jammed, and then jammed some more. The bassist and guitarist danced around each other, while Greep stepped away from his microphone and picked up an additional guitar, providing fresh riffs and melodies. Despite often playing with different musicians, Greep and the band felt totally connected. 

Picking their way through The New Sound out of order, they jammed and adapted nearly every track. It was great. I do believe though that at times it was not necessary. For ‘Holy, Holy’, the natural flow of the song and storyline was abrupted by what felt like a misplaced jam. Further, Greep’s tone changed into a joking banter, and for me the song did not live up to its role as lead single of The New Sound.

The 1h45 set was closed with a special version of the ‘The Magician’. Initially a black midi composition, which I was fortunate to hear in 2022, it took a different shape and form but still retained its grandeur. The whole band apart from Greep and the keyboardist left the stage after the initial buildup of the song. Greep portrayed his massive vocal range and a neat piano solo followed. The band slowly made their way back onto the stage in a sort of encore form. The silence right before the re-entry of the band was extended and the whole room was quiet, just waiting. Everything then came crashing in, and peace was made. 

“I love you Zappa!” was hollered at Greep by an unknown jokester in the crowd. But the jams did seem Zappa-esque. The New Sound live feels like yet another new sound. Geordie Greep at the Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh did not disappoint. 

Setlist:

Walk Up

Terra

The New Sound

Blues

Through a War

Holy, Holy

Motorbike (Jam only)

As if Waltz

Bongo Season

The Magician