Gene live at Hammersmith Apollo (4.10.2025) with Danny & the Champions of the World supporting.
It’s nearly four years on since the grand finale and Gene’s Martin Rossiter’s goodbye from live performances, at the O2 Academy Kentish Town (link to my memories of that one). So pleased he had a change of heart and the guys got it together again, quite unexpectedly. That linked blog of Rossiter’s ‘farewell’ details more Gene history and my previous 90s Gene experiences. A special band, that just stopped and disappeared.
It’s my first indoor gig for a few months, with the festival and holiday season detracting. We return to ‘Rocktober’ with new enthusiasm.
I was grateful for queue dodging tickets to a lounge beforehand and a relaxed pint (‘Lounge Pass’), before taking our balcony seats for tonight’s support band, Danny & the Champions of the World.
I confess to not having heard of them, despite their eight studio albums since 2008. It’s as an acoustic duo they perform as tonight. Sounding a bit Dylan-esque at times and an easy listen Americana rock sound. I see they got the label ‘neckerchief rock’ which is very apt.
Danny George Wilson repeatedly expresses profound gratitude at opening this illustrious occasion and they are a good listen.
Gene, the return
After a 21 year gap, Gene return to the stage (warm-up gig last week aside), under the cartoon imagery of the iconic Hammersmith Apollo frontage and the title from their song, London, Can You Wait? The wait is over and they open with this one, from their classic 1995 album Olympian.
They followed the opening number with Be My Light, Be My Guide and then We Could Be Kings, that’s the first three albums covered and three of my fave tracks. It already had me thinking ahead and wondering if they’d gone too early – will they run up of top tracks? What amazed me was how they rolled out one after another of familiar greats. It’s only the 2001 LP, Libertine, that I’m not familiar with and the three tracks from that later in the set.
The press often threw the Smiths soundalike label over Gene as they emerged. Not unreasonable given the mournful style and now Rossiter’s look and arm waving is not unlike a Morrissey if you squint. Tonight in deep red suit and once the jacket is discarded, an increasingly unruly black shirt.
Sleep Well Tonight is another memorable song that has more arms waving.
The mournful lyrics are no better illustrated than by the brilliant mid-set rendition of In A Car That Sped:
“You have to do it on your own, I can’t aid you any more
And you must learn to breathe alone and all this is yours
Your shoulder’s strong, so come lengthen your stride
When you’re alone, oh there is light outside
But then I, I don’t recall the time we spent
It’s hidden in a car that sped to its death and to its rest”
By this time pockets of the huge balcony are starting to stand, sing, dance and arm wave. One tall chap across the aisle from us stood, head bowed, absorbing all the emotion throughout. Was he happy or sad or just lost in the moment/beer?
In this sold out 5,000 plus crowd I look down at the stage, a large stage, with some much history, even just for me. 45 years ago this week I was watching The Ramones here – this was one of my go to venues as a South West London suburban youth. Gene are huddled close at this reunion – so much space around them and they are here to sing and play, not try and organise a party or put on a lightshow. The crowd are proving to be all the necessary accompaniment required. Rossiter literally keeps in touch with all the band – checking all is ok. He’s not too gushing or reflective. The songs do the talking.
It was only when Style Council et al keyboardist, Mick Talbot, was introduced that I noticed who it was and I didn’t remember him playing back in the 90s.
As the set comes to an end Olympian and Haunted By You really liven the crowd again. What a comeback.
The encore is inevitable for such an occasion and after an hour and a half’s main set they return and play three more, including Sick, Sober and Sorry, and the fast and bouncy Fighting Fit. The line of the former has often run through my head on a late night out: “Please don’t stop me from drinking; it’s my only joy!“
There is a second encore and Rossiter returns to the stage alone, and sits at the keyboards to perform I Can’t Help Myself. It was this one I captured here on my YouTube channel. Mick Talbot joins him near the end and the rest of the band to finish.
Two more to end and the wording of the title of the final song goes up in lights, in case there was any doubt that this beautiful reunion was a one off. Thank you for returning.
Gigs with Ivan 