Throwback to the Southbank: Suede at the Clore Ballroom

A year ago, Suede treated us to some exclusive gigs at London’s Southbank Centre. A year later, we look back on those precious moments: the excitement of the new album, reinventing the classics, digging up rare gems, and a band on top form. We begin our Southbank Special with Muz Haque in the Clore Ballroom, where Suede would premiere their new album, 'Antidepressants', in full. Text: Muz Haque Photos: Katja Pönkkä

A little over excited

Having loved the ‘Disintegrate’, ‘Trance State’ and ‘Dancing with the Europeans’ singles, I was soooo excited about this album launch show. That I had been lucky enough to have been at the Moth Club three years prior to hear Crushed Kid’s 'Autofiction' played live for the first time only built up the excitement.

Not only that, the gap in Suede shows and releases has meant that I hadn’t seen my tribe, my Suede-gang – The Insatiable Ones, for a while. All of this meant I was super giddy and probably a little over excited and stimulated. And so it proved.

Making new friends pre-show

The pre-meet was great fun, just general small chat, as well as me going on and on about my newly found £24 for a night capsule (imagine slightly larger than a coffin) hotel room in Piccadilly. The beers and the conversation flowed pre-show.

We entered the venue, a strange low-stage set-up in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall. I soon met a young bar staff member who was generally chatty and before I knew it, we had struck up a bit of a rapport. I was back for another one and this kept on happening for the rest of the evening!

Newly-crafted intro

Being suitably lubricated, I was ready for 'Antidepressants'. The (what I later learned) newly-crafted intro from Neil was on point, and the band entered the slightly raised, semi-circular stage, with fans all the way round. With hindsight, I did wonder if I should have opted for a side-view of Simon, Richard or Neil… but alas I was a little off centre, towards the front.

Mat’s bass and the Simon’s drums did not disappoint from the off. They hit hard, driving the band forward. Brett sang, snarled, shrugged his wrists and shirt sleeves back, jumped on monitors and was his good old self in no time. The first three we all knew most of the words, as we had heard them aplenty, with everyone signing and dancing along to ‘Disintegrate’, ‘Dancing with the Europeans’ and ‘Antidepressants’. By the time ‘Sweet Kid’ kicked in, Brett Anderson the composed was no more and we had sweaty-Bretty.

‘Somewhere Between an Atom and the Star’ from the gents

This was a chance for me to pay attention to Mat and the silhouettes he was cutting whilst playing the bass only like he can. Then Brett went a little sweary on ‘The Sound and the Summer’ which I wasn’t expecting. At this point I was also mesmerised by the sounds coming out of Richard’s guitar. Didn’t sound like a “regular” Suede tune – at the time of writing, the novelty of this one hasn’t worn off yet.

It was inevitable that my middle-aged man bladder gave in, so I had to listen to part of ‘Somewhere Between an Atom and the Star’ from the gents. It sounded beautiful. I made it back in time, via the bar, to enjoy Brett wandering through the audience to ‘Broken Music for Broken People’ and everyone clamouring for their sweaty hugs - oh, how much I have missed them and the joy on everyone’s faces!

A little feral

‘Criminal Ways’ sounded much better live than on the free Mojo CD. ‘Trance State’ saw the audience go a little feral, before the beautiful ‘June Rain’. Everyone was quiet and in awe, taking it all in. We could all see the emotion it was sung with, and it proved to be a seamless move to ‘Life is Endless, Life is a Moment’.

Post-punk pick-me-ups and a Neil smile

Suede were cooking and I was intrigued what might come next. The “post-punk pick-me-ups” did not disappoint (from what my slightly tainted memory can recall). This felt like an amazing Suede party, with everyone singing along.

I am pretty certain I even saw Neil smile at one point (though I don’t think I have seen any footage to validate this). All the songs post-2013 sounded phenomenal.

Buzzing

The chords of ‘Outsiders’ still ringing through my ears, and a huge grin on my face, just buzzing from what I had seen and heard, I stumbled into the late evening and met Simon at the artists entrance. He was kind enough to listen to me mumble and obliged me with a picture.

I then staggered somewhere else for the evening before heading to my capsule. The inevitable fear hit me the next day – resulting in my apologising publicly in the Insatiable Ones in case I offended anyone with my drunken happiness.

Less novel, still exciting

Overall, it was a triumph and a fabulous evening. Having said that, 'Antidepressants' live didn’t quite hit me the way 'Autofiction' did at the Moth club three years ago, but that’s because the change in sound then was so novel and exciting.

This was less novel, but still so exciting. This band that I have loved for over 30 years still going and still stirring that teenager in me with great new music and fantastic shows. Bravo Suede – can’t wait for the 2026 tour.