Seminal nineties psychedelic folk, experimental shambolic electronic four piece, The Beta Band, are up there with some of the coolest bands in history. Everyone wanted to be them, or at least be seen playing their records, including John Cusack in High Fidelity.
I only ever saw them live once, 17th September 2001 at 93 Feet East in London’s Brick Lane. It was an XFM invite only gig and we were lucky enough to secure tickets from a phone-in on the drive time show. Spotted Shaun Ryder, Bobbie Gillespie and John Squire, who I assume did not have to be on speed dial to XFM to blag entry.
The electric feeling in the small room and the band’s performance that night, I felt like we were witnessing one of those moments where no-one wanted to be anywhere else in the world. I can still remember that rare feeling, easily in my top three gigs of all time.
This video is from Shepherd’s Bush Empire a few years later, love the crowd singing at the end.