ERASURE, YAZOO and THE ASSEMBLY Live at Short Circuit Presents Mute

Bright Side Of The Sun

Photo by Thomas Bengtsson

The two day Short Circuit Presents Mute extravaganza at The Roundhouse culminated in what was billed as 'ERASURE + Special Guests'. However, as the hour long set progressed, it panned out into something else. Together as ERASURE, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke have been one of the most consistent UK pop acts ever. In 1985, fresh from brief stints with DEPECHE MODE, YAZOO and THE ASSEMBLY, Clarke placed a small ad in Melody Maker that said ñVersatile voice wanted for established songwriter". A 21 year old ex-butcher Andy Bell was one of the many applicants and was audition #36. As highlighted by producer Flood in his fascinating talk earlier in the day, what set Bell apart from the others was that he was the only candidate who hit falsetto during the audition piece Who Needs Love (Like That), thereby impressing not only with his vocal technique but range too. So in neo-X Factor style, the judging panel of Clarke, Flood and Daniel Miller declared Andy Bell as the winner and ERASURE were born.

Although success was not instant with debut album Wonderland and its lost hit single Oh L’Amour, the chemistry between Clarke and Bell possessed that special spark both musically and personally. ERASURE toured the college circuit and built up a loyal fanbase, eventually hitting chart paydirt with Sometimes. Further hits such as Victim Of Love, A Little Respect, Stop! and Blue Savannah followed while albums such as The Circus and The Innocents
confirmed they were more than just a singles act. ERASURE scored their only No1 with their EP of ABBA covers entitled Abba-Esque in 1992 which was supported by a spectacular theatrical show entitled the Phantasmagorical World Tour as immortalised in The Tank, the Swan and the Balloon DVD. While fortunes have been mixed for Clarke and Bell both creatively and commercially in the last fifteen years, in 2005 they took to soft synths and delivered their best album ever with Nightbird, proving that if youÍve got it but have lost it, you can get it again back if you keep trying.

Photo by Mike Cooper

However before the main ERASURE set, an additional treat came beforehand in the shape of a DJ set by DEPECHE MODEÍs Andy Fletcher, followed by a very svelte Alison Moyet taking to the stage with Vince Clarke. In what was being touted as possibly the last ever live performance by YAZOO, it started appropriately enough with the tremendously emotional Nobody’s Diary. Such a short set needed some intuitive choices and Ode To Boy, MoyetÍs own personal tribute to Clarke, provided recognition of the fact that MuteÍs initial commercial success came on the back of his songcraft. Ending with a beefy Don’t Go, Moyet savoured every moment before handing the microphone over to Andy Bell.

With so many of the ERASURE faithful present, Bell and Clarke used the occasion to air some lost fan favourites from the twosomeÍs back catalogue at the start. Hideaway is ERASUREÍs own Smalltown Boy while Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer’s Day) is possibly their most under rated hit single. The duoÍs second single Heavenly Action, whose rare Yellow Brick Mix 12" pressing once fetched £75 on the collectors market, sounded like the hit single it never was.

After that trio of pleasant surprises, it ERASURE reverted to doing what they do best which is brilliantly catchy hit singles. Always and Ship Of Fools eased the crowd in while Victim Of Love and Chains Of Love got everyone dancing including Mr Bell himself. Breathe was the token 21st Century entry while the electro ROY ORBISON of Blue Savannah is one of their greatest moments. Of course, no ERASURE set would be complete without Sometimes or A Little Respect, Clarke casually strumming his six string while Bell wowed the audience.

Photo by Mike Cooper

As Andy Bell gave his thanks to all, he talked of Vince ClarkeÍs impeccable taste in vocalists. First he mentioned Alison Moyet but then there were gasps of excitement as the name Dave Gahan was announced and everyone looked to the sides of the stage. But it was not to be as Bell announced the arrival of THE UNDERTONESÍ Feargal Sharkey to close the eveningÍs set. The lively Sharkey announced that he hadnÍt sung live for 20 years and that Vince Clarke was the only person heÍd have returned for. And so THE ASSEMBLYÍs only single Never Never got a very rare outing with Sharkey providing his distinctive warbling lead as Bell counterpointed on backing vocals. It was a most wonderful sight to bear witness to.

Short but sweet; this celebratory set was a reminder of not just how good ERASURE really are but also, what a glorious talent that man Vincent John Martin Clarke truly is. And in a weekend that also saw performances from RECOIL, NITZER EBB, THE RESIDENTS and LAIBACH, it was a perfect demonstration of Mute RecordsÍ brighter side and its marvelous pop sensibilities.

Special thanks to Thomas Bengtsson for the ERASURE photo and Klara Norberg

ERASUREÍs Total Pop tour featuring special guest SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR includes:

Suffolk Thetford Forest (10th June), Kent Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest (11th June), Dublin Olympia Theatre (13th Æ 14th June), Cork Live at The Marquee, (15th June), Nottinghamshire Sherwood Pines Forest Park (17th June), Gloucestershire Westonbirt Arboretum (18th June), Staffordshire Cannock Chase Forest (24th June), North Yorkshire Dalby Forest (25th June), Berlin Zitadelle, (27th June), Hamburg Stadtpark, (29th June), Cheshire Delamere Forest (1st July), Guildford Guildfest (17th July)

www.erasureinfo.com

www.yazooinfo.com

www.mute.com

Text by Chi Ming Lai
4th June 2011