Lightning Seeds
My 2024 live music journey began and ended in the same venue—Kentish Town Forum—and fittingly, with two of Liverpool’s finest. It kicked off with Cast, and closed in style with The Lightning Seeds, delivering a euphoric night that was the perfect send-off for another year of brilliant gigs.
35 Years of Melodic Brilliance
From the moment the band launched into “Life’s Too Short”, an electronica-infused gem from their Tilt album, the night took flight. The track’s shimmering synths set the tone for a celebratory set filled with nostalgic highs and surprising turns. Above the stage, their iconic strawberry logo morphed and glowed in kaleidoscopic fashion—each variation a nod to the band’s pop legacy.
Ian Broudie, now 66, led the way with vocals that have aged like fine wine—soulful, effortless, and unmistakably his. He reminded everyone just how underappreciated he’s been as a guitarist, smoothly handling everything from classic jangle-pop riffs to layered, atmospheric arrangements.
A Crowd of Grown-Up 90s Kids
The setlist was generous, spanning every phase of the band’s history—from the infectious indie-pop of Sense and Jollification, to the more eclectic corners of their back catalogue. The audience—largely comprised of fans who came of age in the 90s—sang along with unrestrained joy. Songs like “Pure”, “Lucky You”, and “Sugar Coated Iceberg” became communal anthems, full of feel-good “ooohs” and smiles.
Pure
Be My Baby
Ready or Not
Surprises and Special Guests
The band slipped in three cover versions during the night, each perfectly pitched. The highlight? A surprise appearance from Wreckless Eric, who joined them for a rousing version of his cult classic “Whole Wide World”. It was one of those rare, heartwarming live moments that left the room beaming.
They also nodded to their retro influences with a gorgeous cover of The Byrds’ “You Showed Me”, before closing the main set with a stripped-down, acoustic version of “Be My Baby” that hushed the crowd into reverent silence.
Encore Magic: A Family Affair
The encore was exactly what the crowd hoped for. “Marvellous” turned the Forum into a dancefloor, while “The Life of Riley” landed with extra emotional weight, thanks to Riley Broudie—Ian’s son—on lead guitar. Watching father and son share a spotlight as the song swelled was one of those rare moments where everything aligns. Nostalgia, talent, family, and music all bundled into a perfect crescendo.
A Gig to Remember
The Lightning Seeds proved they’re not just a time capsule for 90s indie pop—they’re a still-vital, musically rich band that continues to bring joy in every note. For fans old and new, this was more than just a gig. It was a memory to file away under “golden.”
The Lightning Seeds
Date: 13 December 2024
Venue: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, England
Tour: 35 Years Greatest Hits Tour
Source: Setlist.fm
Setlist:
- Life’s Too Short
- Change
- Sense
- Feeling Lazy
- Ready or Not
- All I Want
- My Best Day
- Perfect
- Waiting for Today to Happen
- Emily Smiles
- Whole Wide World (Wreckless Eric cover) – with Wreckless Eric
- You Showed Me (The Byrds cover)
- What If…
- Lucky You
- Sugar Coated Iceberg
- Pure
- Three Lions
Encore:
- Marvellous
- Be My Baby (Ellie Greenwich cover)
- The Life of Riley
