Two Roxy Musics took to the stage at the O2. One the art-rock retro-futurist outfit that redefined Seventies pop from 1971 to 1976, the other the airbrushed high-sheen machine of 1979 to 1982. They weren’t a comfortable fit, but this by turns perplexing and wonderful show offered more than enough evidence for what a weird, inspirational and wilful band Roxy Music were and are.
The final concert on the seven-date For Your Pleasure tour, this first jaunt round the UK in over 10 years coincided with the band’s 40th anniversary. Taking its billing from the band’s second album was telling – it was their last with founder member Brian Eno and the point at which their marriage of music and style became embedded in British pop culture. Joining Bryan Ferry at the O2 Arena were fellow Roxy originals Andrew Mackay on oboe and sax, drummer Paul Thompson and guitarist Phil Manzanera (OK, he wasn't there right at the start, but he was with the band from their first record). But it didn’t stop with the quartet. Three female backing singers were bulked out by a pair of dancers and two keyboard players – one of whom doubled on sax – a percussionist who shadowed Thompson’s parts and another guitarist. Only one bassist though. Pretty much another full band was up there.
A thuddy, bass-heavy mix didn’t initially offer any favours. After walking on to “India”, from 1982’s Avalon, they ran through that album's “The Main Thing”. Choosing unpredictable openers set the tone: of the 23-song set, eight songs were post-1979, the remainder drawn from the first five albums. Next up were Stranded’s “Street Life” and second single “Pyjamarama”, after which the sound was sorted out.
Juxtaposing the two periods of the band’s career was challenging, but even more so were some perplexing choices. Avalon's “To Turn You On” is pretty thin, and hearing it before a ripping “Same Old Scene” rendered it even more so. But the surprises from the early Roxy canon thrilled. Country Life’s “Prairie Rose” might not be a classic, but it sounded pretty damn great. Ditto for Stranded's “Amazona”. For Your Pleasure’s creepy “In Every Dreamhome a Heartache” shivered with menace, while the mid-section of “If There is Something" was extraordinary - Mackay and Manzanera’s sonic drift was spectral. Yet Mackay’s sax solo on the cover of Neil Young’s "Like a Hurricane" could have graced the soundtrack of an Eighties Hollywood cop film. His oboe on Avalon’s “Tara” had too much late-night Don Johnson about it, while guest guitarist Oliver Thompson’s plank-spanking close to Flesh and Blood’s "My Only Love" contrasted starkly with Manzanera's angular unpredictability.
Roxy Music perform "Virginia Plain" on Top of the Pops in 1972
Ferry frustrated too. Spending over half the set parked behind a keyboard halfway back was democratic – saying the show is about the band, not me – but it would’ve been nice to see more of him. Still, Mackay got a chance to take centre stage. Back on his feet, Ferry whistled “Jealous Guy” with magnificent chutzpah. Animated during the home straight of “Virginia Plain”, “Love is the Drug”, “Editions of You" and "Do the Strand", he engaged with the audience for the first time. “For Your Pleasure” itself was the atmospheric closer. There was no encore.
Wilful and perplexing, clichéd yet unpredictable. That was last night’s Roxy Music, two bands at once. And no, Eno wasn’t missed.
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