Incredible, just incredible. You’d think that a break-up lasting almost 10 years would’ve had negative affects on the band, but tonight, The Verve sounded fucking awesome. They played a rocking set and had me yelling and bobbing up and down all night. My ears are ringing, my throat is sore, and my feet are tired. But it was worth it.

The set focused more on Urban Hymns which is my favorite Verve album. I’ll admit that I haven’t heard much of their stuff other than UH and A Northern Soul. However, these two are among the finest albums of the 90s and UH clearly represents a band at its peak. Richard Ashcroft has managed to preserve his voice really well, while Nick McCabe, Simon Jones, and Peter Salisbury are still adept at their respective instruments. We got on line early enough and managed to snag spots right up front - against the railing and under Ashcroft’s nose. The sound was terrific where we were standing.

Ashcroft was fairly animated on stage, dancing in his own strange way, eating a banana, drinking beer, smoking, etc. My friends who went yesterday as well say most of the set was the same but one of the songs they swapped in, “Velvet Morning”, is one I love. Quite aptly, they started with “A New Decade” and I am more than happy with the setlist, although I wouldn’t have minded some “A Northern Soul”, “Catching a Butterfly”, or “This Time.” We were also treated to two completely new songs that will make it on to the next album, to be released some time this year. Plus, the jam at the end of “Come On” was phenomenal. Insane. Mind-blowing. You get the drift.

I’m really glad that The Verve have reunited. Sure, I’ve only been a fan for the last two years, but getting to see a band perform live that you never expected to reunite, is just fantastic. Now I just wish that The Stone Roses would get together. Bury the hatchet, John Squire and Ian Brown!

One final word - the DJ who opened for The Verve was atrocious. Maybe the band forced us to sit through his crap just to make us realize how much ass they kick.

SETLIST: (More or less right order)

A New Decade
Sonnet
This Is Music
Space and Time
Life’s An Ocean
Already There
Weeping Willow
Sit and Wonder
The Rolling People
Man Called Sun
The Drugs Don’t Work
Velvet Morning
Lucky Man
Come On

-Encore-

Bittersweet Symphony
Love Is Noise