Despite some great gigs over the years, I’ve always been a little uncertain about the Pyramids Centre as a venue. Unless you’re right in the thick of it, I’ve often felt slightly distanced from the band performing. There’s too much space around the stage and with the shape of the roof the impact is often lost. It’s almost as though you’re watching a band at a festival, but without being stood in a field.
Tonight then, it was a good job Reef still have Gary Stringer as a frontman, his voice alone blowing away any concerns right from opening track “Just Feel Love”. It’s been almost 20 years since the bands breakthrough album “Glow” and tonight Reef played safe, pulling out all the favourites.
It was however what the crowd wanted, with the majority of the audience being fans since the bands 90’s success. “Higher Vibration” from the aforementioned album came alive with the additional keyboards and new guitarist, Jesse Wood, looked in his element for hit single “Come Back Brighter”.
REEF – Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
Reef have recently been back working with producer George Drakoulias, who with the gospel track “How I got Over” has brought out the best in the band. Having rose to stardom during the Britpop era, Reef have always had a funky element to them, however covering the Aretha Franklin tune feels like it’s been their calling all along.
As if one cover wasn’t enough the band then played homage to Woods father Ronnie, breaking into the Rolling Stones “Paint it Black”. Gary Stringer may be a great vocalist, but his natural voice doesn’t really suite the Stones classic. It may have gone down well for the novelty factor, but was all a bit like the Wurzels and definitely time to make a trip to the bar…
The set picked up again though with possibly Reef’s most famous track “Place Your Hands”, the crowd were soon joining Stringer on the chorus and waving their hands in the air as if we were all young again… maybe not as enthusiastically, but it was a still a beautiful moment.
“My Sweet Love” slowed things down, before the main set eventually finished with another tune from “Glow” with “Naked”. We were treated to a soulful new song within the encore and eventually a lot of friendly finger pointing during “Yer Old”. The last track showing that we may indeed be a little older, but with Reef working on a new album, let’s hope it’s out before we’re too old to appreciate it.
REEF – Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
Interview with Jack Bessant from REEF prior to the gig can be found at the following link:
www.mrteethreviews.com/interview-reef-jack-bessant
