Picture Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S.Media. February 12th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

There can be no better sight than of a much loved band coming back to their home, to where they belong and giving such an astounding performance that it blows everything out of the water. Ian Broudie may be understated and private but there is no doubting his ability, his dedication to Liverpool and some of the best music to have dominated the musical airwaves for the best part of five decades.

The Lightning Seeds really are just one of those acts like Space, Ian McNabb and Amsterdam that you just have to see live to realise how fantastic they are, how loved they are by the general public and then, only then does it hit you that the sound you hear on the record is only half the story.

The o2 Academy, Liverpool has hosted some great nights, (some in very recent memory have just been incredible), the music that went on behind its warehouse facade on a cold damp February night was amongst the very finest ever with a surprise for the football mad city at the end and a very fine guest appearance by another of Liverpool’s greats in the form of The Zutons’ saxophonist Abi Harding.

Ian and the rest of the band that make up the Lightning Seeds, including his talented son Riley, played a set list that at times just made you want to sing so loud and with pride that Ian could have quite happily, if it was his want, just play guitar and let the audience do all the hard work. If there is no better sight than a welcome home-coming then aurally the best thing to hear is a venue that is packed to the rafters with a good humoured crowd singing every word to songs such as Change, Perfect and Sugar Coated Iceberg.

One of the moments of the night was witnessing the song Life of Riley which was written for his son. Ian looked proud as he sang the memorable lyrics and out of one eye could see Riley playing fantastically well on guitar. There was almost a moment of recognition in the crowd too as the song progressed that it was possible to think of Ian at the same age and the fruition of promise that came, in Riley there is the same passion and hunger in his stance.

The legendary and much loved Liverpool icon finished an excellent night of tremendous music with the outstanding Marvellous, with the aforementioned Abi Harding, and the rarely performed but often called for 3 Lions. It’s been nearly 16 years since this song was everywhere, every radio station and T.V. channel carrying the message and hopes of the song into the homes and offices the length of the country and perhaps it was fitting to resurrect this song in Euro-Championship season and especially in the acknowledged capital of football, Liverpool. This was music that gladdened the soul and buoyed up the heart.  They came home, The Lightning Seeds, they came home.

Ian D. Hall