I think Los Angeles is the only city I’ve been able to see a show in both a cemetery and a church. The former is the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is renown for its music and film events, outdoors on the Fairbanks Lawn and indoors at the Masonic Lodge. The latter, which is the subject of this post, is the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, where Echo & the Bunnymen performed the first of three sold out shows.
It’s a funny conundrum, because seeing shows in supposed holy ground raises all types of interesting ethical questions. The most immediate, which frontman Ian McCulloch quickly addressed, was the appropriateness of swearing. He did, of course, as did many others … with reckless abandon, I might add.
Still, you couldn’t help ponder the dilemma, and wonder the spiritual implications. But for most, I’d guess, this was their first time in a church in a good long while. So can you really blame them? And if great music is what it takes to get you to higher ground, even if you can’t help the base instincts, then so fucking be it.
That being said, Echo & the Bunnymen did sound truly incredible, thanks to those remarkable cathedral acoustics. Keep in mind, Echo’s been performing since 1978. Their line-up has changed a bit, with only McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant as original members. But their a solid outfit live, always delivering on the hits that made them famous – “Lips Like Sugar,” “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” “Rescue,” “The Killing Moon,” to name a few. They’ve played a lot of venues. And I’ve seen them in a lot of venues. The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian is easily one of my favorites. I mean, after this one, I think every show should be held in a high-vaulted auditorium such as this.
I’ll refrain from all the spiritual metaphors, which would be appropriate nonetheless, and just say these longtime Brit rockers proved exactly why they’re still around and going strong. McCulloch’s distinct voice is still in top condition, and Sergeant’s guitar-work still commands attention.
There’s a lot of bands from the ’80s still around, some more popular than others. But Echo & the Bunnymen still feel uniquely of the past and present simultaneously. When I hear their music, I don’t necessarily get waves of nostalgia swirling through my thoughts. It’s more just the immediacy of listening to great rock music … albeit of an alternative persuasion.
Most of their set comprised a career-spanning history of recognizable hits, as well as couple of new ones. Below is a selection of footage from their show on Tuesday, 12.04.18, featuring some of these gems. I’m still amazed at how good this sounds, considering it’s captured with an iPhone. Again, thank the heavens for cathedral acoustics. Enjoy!
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Bring on the Dances Horses” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “The Killing Moon” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Lips Like Sugar” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Rescue” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “The Cutter” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Do It Clean” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Never Stop” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Seven Seas” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Over the Wall” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Bedbugs & Balloyhoo” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
Echo & the Bunnymen perform “Ocean Rain” at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian on 12.04.18.
