Primal Scream Marks 25 Years of XTRMNTR with Historic London Performance
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A quarter-century after its release, Primal Scream’s groundbreaking album XTRMNTR was celebrated with a special concert in London last night. The performance, a testament to the aggro electronic rock masterpiece, saw the band, led by Bobby Gillespie, deliver a setlist steeped in nostalgia and rare performances.
A Landmark Anniversary for a Defining Album
Released in 2000, XTRMNTR remains a pivotal work in Primal Scream’s discography. Tonight’s show wasn’t simply a concert; it was a deep dive into an album that redefined the band’s sound and continues to resonate with audiences today. The performance included several tracks that hadn’t been played live in over two decades, demonstrating the band’s commitment to honoring the album’s legacy.
Rare Tracks and Notable Absences
The main set featured a complete run-through of XTRMNTR’s 11 songs. Notably, the performance included “Keep Your Dreams,” “Insect Royalty,” and the Kevin Shields-referencing “MBV Arkestra (If Thay Move, Kill ‘Em),” all of which hadn’t been performed live since 2000. “Blood Money” hadn’t been played since 2001. More recent omissions were also addressed, with “Shoot Speed/Kill Light” returning to the stage after a six-year hiatus (since 2018), “Accelerator” after five years (2019), “Kill All Hippies” after three years (2021), and “Exterminator” and “Pills” after one year each (2022).
The concert was marked by the absence of former band members Mani and Kevin Shields, the latter whose band My Bloody Valentine has recently resumed touring. Despite these absences, the band delivered a powerful and emotionally resonant performance.
Greatest Hits Encore and Full Setlist
Following the XTRMNTR set, Primal Scream launched into an encore featuring some of their most beloved hits. The encore included fan favorites such as “Jailbird,” “Loaded,” “Movin’ On Up,” “Country Girl,” and “Rocks.”
Here is the complete setlist from tonight’s performance:
- “Kill All hippies”
- “Accelerator”
- “Exterminator”
- “Swastika Eyes”
- “Pills”
- “Blood Money”
- “keep Your Dreams”
- “Insect Royalty”
- “MBV Arkestra (If they Move, Kill ‘Em)”
- “Swastika Eyes (Chemical Brothers Remix)”
- “Shoot Speed/Kill Light”
- ENCORE:
- “Jailbird”
- “Loaded”
- “Movin’ On up”
- “Country Girl”
- “Rocks”
Footage from tonight’s gig is available below.
[URL for footage from tonight’s gig]
The performance underscored the enduring power of XTRMNTR and Primal Scream’s continued relevance in the landscape of modern rock.
