My Bloody Valentine is a band that many assumed would never return. It was part of their myth: after two perfect albums – Isn’t Anything (1988) and Loveless (1991) – they vanished, amidst rumors of mental breakdown, bankruptcy and tales of the loudest gigs ever. Fifteen years later, they’re back.

As soon as the first notes of I Only Said were played, the whole power of the My Bloody Valentine live experience hit you like a tsunami: the extreme loudness of the guitars, the bass shaking your guts, the strobe lights and the psychedelic projections. It felt more like an art performance, with sound and visuals so intrinsically married as to be more important than the band themselves.

MBV played classic tracks from their albums, but the highlight was set closer The Holocaust, which turns 1988 single You Made Me Realise into the loudest 20 minutes in your life.

Those brave enough not to wear the free earplugs distributed before the gig, had no choice but to protect their ears. It wasn’t music anymore, but an art statement, an experiment, pushing and challenging the audience – some people couldn’t cope and had to leave. No discernible notes, just a loud rumble and sheer white noise. From time to time, slight changes in the pattern could be noticed, while frantic visuals hypnotised the audience. When eventually the images slowed down, we all just felt the end was coming soon, and My Bloody Valentine went back into You Made Me Realise to an ecstatic audience.

One last chorus, and it was over. Afterwards, the crowd leaving the venue looked tired. Some faces were stunned. Some simply appeared relieved that they’ll still be able to hear clearly – when the tinnitus recedes after a couple of days. We did it. We survived My Bloody Valentine, the loudest band on earth.

Reviewed by Ivan Silva

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