Primal Scream tear the walls down at The Enmore Theatre

An iconic 90s frontman took a cheeky dig at the Sydney crowd, saying one word that is always guaranteed to get a rise out of the harbour city.

I dare you to name a bad band from Scotland.

It might have something to do with the bleak skies and the brutally cold temperatures that drove hordes of pre-internet teens in the 80s towards music and “other recreational passtimes”.

Alternative music from Scotland throughout that period goes toe-to-toe with some of the greats, even if they didn’t end up becoming as commercially “successful” as household name alternative bands like Radiohead.

Primal Scream are a great example of pure artistry emerging from the tiny nation, standing alongside fellow countrymen The Jesus and Mary Chain as some of the most influential alt-rock outfits to take off in the closing years of the 20th century.

And their presence has clearly lingered, with both the bands’ recent shows in Sydney being packed out.

Primal Scream have always been a band that defies easy categorisation, with their fusion of rock, dance and psychedelic giving music fanatics a kick for decades.

Primal Scream riled up the crowd at Enmore Theatre. Picture: Supplied

As they took to the stage at the Enmore Theatre, they proved once again why they’ve remained a force in music for over three decades.

There’s always apprehension when going to a show with band members in their 60s. It’s impossible to assume they have the same fire to perform as they once did, but lead singer Bobby Gillespie still had everyone in the palm of his hands as he knocked off a hot list of the band’s more popular tunes.

Primal Scream’s strength is in their simplicity and execution. While some (unenlightened) onlookers might dismiss the lengthy 10-minute escapades littered with strange screeches and swirling textures as “drug music”, there’s an undeniable allure to how the band blends several influences and makes it fun.

The simple chord progressions and trancelike drum grooves are what made them famous and it was in full flight in Enmore on Saturday night.

The poppier tunes like “Movin’ On Up” were a big hit with the crowd, but the best moments where when the band sat locked into the pocket and rolled on endlessley.

I dare you to name a bad band from Scotland. Picture: News.com.au

“Loaded” and “Come Together”, while supremely popular among Scream-heads, are criminally underrated as all-time party tunes that immediately light a fire under just about any crowd.

The rhythm section was also something special. Drummer Darrin Mooney was nothing short of incredible as he thundered the unwavering dance beats that made Scream so famous.

While there were saxophones, synthesisers and outrageous lead guitar licks from founding member Andrew Innes, it was the drummer that kept everyone glued into the set.

A quick glance across the crowd gave you proof, with just about every head pulsating to Mooney’s addictive groove. To have over a thousand people in a rhythmic trance like this is a phenomenon most drummers dream about.

But it’s still rock ‘n’ roll in the end, and that means it’s all about the frontman.

Bobby Gillespie’s presence, even with the slight wear and tear on his vocals, still commands every ounce of attention in the room. There’s something about the way he carries himself that hooks you in — a no-BS but welcoming host for your reminiscent night of 90s electronica.

His brilliant delivery of “I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have”, arguably one of the best-written Primal Scream tunes, was a resounding highlight of the night. It not just about rave-head dance grooves, Primal Scream can and will hit you in the feels with this slower-tempo emotional break-up song.

The funniest moment of the night was when Gillespie tried getting the crowd to roar for him on cue. After a subdued yell came from a portion of the crowd, he knew exactly what to do to get them fired up.

“They were much louder in Melbourne last night,” he said.

You could feel everyone’s backs arch up as everyone took a deep breath and screamed as loud as they could.

Primal Scream have three more shows on their Australia 2025 tour

Mon 13 Jan 2025. The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane

Tue 14 Jan 2025. Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide

Thu 16 Jan 2025. Fremantle Prison, Fremantle

Originally published as Primal Scream tear the walls down at The Enmore Theatre