Gig review: The Streets

Published on Tuesday 1 September 2009 19:18

THE STREETS **** PICTURE HOUSE, EDINBURGH

IT'S NICE to see that Mike Skinner hasn't started taking himself too seriously since he turned 30 last year. Of his bass player Wayne Vibes, whose diagnosis with swine flu earlier in the month caused the rescheduling of this Edge Festival date, he said: "Wayne has no need to apologise, the dreaded swine got him. To make it up to you, he'll be channelling the swine from within – into Swine Blues".

The sheepish Vibes then performed an over-the-top guitar solo of the sort which would do Mark Knopfler proud, while Skinner looked on with an expression of serious approval. Now Oasis seem to be over, Skinner is a contender for title of artist most likely to keep a crowd entertained with conversation alone.

Although the slightly reduced attendance at this show perhaps reflected its move from an original slot at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival schedule, Skinner's fanbase are well-versed in causing mayhem on the dancefloor.

While the rapper enjoyed a jokey spar with those on the balcony about their lack of dancing, he verbally whipped the fans on the main floor before him until the atmosphere resembled that of a late-night rave. With the majority doing as instructed when told to face the back of the hall or "go low" (crouch down and dance), he clearly likes to have fun with both the live show format and his audience's willingness to do as told.

Or who knows, perhaps he's just bored? Skinner's fifth album – tentatively titled Computer and Blues, and due for release early next year – is reportedly his last as the Streets. That may not come to pass, but it might be appropriate; Skinner's live set is now packed with authentic greatest hits dedicated to the experience of partying through and coming down from the Noughties, from the boisterous Don't Mug Yourself and anthemic Weak Become Heroes to the more emotional Dry Your Eyes and Blinded by the Lights, by way of new track Blip on a Screen. He has an exceptional track record, but trying to recreate parties like this ad nauseam must eventually stop working for him.