Inspiral Carpets - Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, 5/12/2003
by Anthony Strutt
published: 28 / 12 / 2003

intro
Always a great party band, the reformed Inspiral Carpets show themselves to be still capable of living "up to their legend" at a shortened, but impressive set at the Brixton Academy
Well, it is the first week of December and everyone gathered here is already in a party mood. The Inspiral Carpets are not just a great live band, but also, of course, a groovy band to party too... The evening kicks off with a 40 minute set from Puressence, whom to my ears make more sense than Radiohead, but who come from a similar direction. They go down down very well. After the fabulous set on their previous tour in April, tonight's stage set leaves a lot to be desired. There is no film show or special effects like last time, just a number of large milk bottles on stage. The set is shorter than last time too lasting a mere 85 minutes but the songs they play are different which is a good thing . The band play mainly a singles set with two covers thrown in in the encore , both of which come from the 60's. Only two new songs are played both from their recent three CD 'Cool as ....' box set, the first disc of which has now been pulled from it and released as a Greatest Hits album. A classic band who live up to their legend.It is good to have them back, if only for a short while. Set List : The Real Thing Generations Weakness Come Back Tomorrow She Comes in the Fall Saturn 5/ Two Worlds Collide Uniform I Want You Move Sackville Directing Traffic Iron Dragging Me Down Out of Hand Out of Time Joe 96 Tears Tainted Love This is How It Feels
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialInspiralshttp://www.inspiralcarpets.com/
https://twitter.com/inspiralsband
Picture Gallery:-


interviews |
Interview with Tom Hingley (2003) |
![]() |
One of the most famous of all the Madchester groups , the Inspiral Carpets have recently reformed and have a new box set out and have just toured. Frontman Tom Hingley talks to Anthony Strutt about the group's history |
live reviews |
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 24/3/2013 |
With their original front man Stephen Holt back with them after an absence of twenty four years, Dave Goodwin watches the Inspiral Carpets play a frenzied show at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham |
Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, 10/3/2007 |
Brixton Academy, London, 4/4/2003 |
features |
Cool as... (2003) |
![]() |
The reformed Inspiral Carpets recently toured Britain, and also have an excellent new box set 'Cool as...' out soon . Anthony Strutt reflects back on their history, and profiles this new retrospective |
soundcloud
reviews |
Inspiral Carpets (2014) |
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Exuberant comeback album from the Inspiral Carpets, which finds the group reunited with their original vocalist Stephen Holt |
You're So Good For Me/Head For the Sun (2012) |
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