What better way to be introduced to the music scene at Sentrum Scene in Oslo than to see and review Suede, oneof my favourite English rock bands from the 1990s?
An hour before the band took to the stage, die-hard Suede fans from Norway and around the world gathered, looking forward to reliving the much-loved music of earlier times. We were not disappointed.
Led by frontman Brett Anderson, Suede’s line-up included guitarist Richard Oakes, bassist Mat Osman, drummer Simon Gilbert and keyboardist/guitarist Neil Codling, agroup that has been together for many years.
The seemingly ageless Anderson was in his usual form: charismatic, energetic and completely engaged with the audience. From the moment he began performing, he rarely stood still, moving constantly across the stage and connecting with the crowd. His voice remained strong throughout, and his enthusiasm was matched by the rest of the band, who delivered a polished and powerful performance.
Suede sounded as tight and confident as ever, moving smoothly between the distinctive guitar-driven sound of their early years and their more recent material. Richard Oakes was particularly impressive on guitar, while the rhythm section of Osman and Gilbert provided the solid foundation that has long been central to the Suede sound.
The set included several of the band’s best-known songs. “Trash”, one of Suede’s biggest and best tracks, was an obvious crowd favourite, while “Animal Nitrate” remains one of their signature songs. “Metal Mickey” brought another reminder of the band’s early 1990s sound, while “Can’t Get Enough”, from Head Music, was another highlight.
The newer material also fitted comfortably into the set, including “Antidepressants”, the title track from their most recent album.
More than three decades after Suede emerged as one of the defining bands of the British alternative rock scene, they remain an impressive live act. For a long-time Suede fan, it was a great night of music and a reminder that the the band has lost none of its appeal.
