Review from our 2026 appearance at The Damned's 50th Anniversary Show at Wembley Arena

What Marc Almond and The Loveless do is follow on with some rock ‘n’ roll! This is absolutely not what I was expecting. I was expecting torch songs. However, this is simply down to my ignorance. Marc and the band have already released one album: “Meet The Loveless” which came out two years ago. Along with guitarist Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik they also have the rhythm section from Iggy Pop’s band. Louder Than War have described them as “Britain’s best garage rock band”, and on tonight’s showing I have to agree. ‘Taken aback’ is nowhere near describing my reaction to this. ‘Gobsmacked’ is more like it!

Neal X’s playing is phenomenal from opener “Wild In The Streets” (an Almond/Whitmore Loveless original ) onwards. The sax player Jamie Reibl is also pretty impressive. “Putty In Your Hands” is a Shirelles cover that was also recorded by The Yardbirds. Marc indulges in some suitably 1960s style dancing. “You’re Gonna Miss Me” was recorded by the Thirteenth Floor Elevators and this version more than does the song justice. I’m starting to think that we’re having a trip through Marc Almond’s record collection, but there are original songs too. “Teenage Wildlife” has an awesome wah-wah guitar solo, whilst “Dark Side” is a ballad that really showcases Marc’s vocals. “Nothing At All” meanwhile has a cracking guitar solo. It’s succinct without a solitary note being wasted. However, if jaws were dropping, they absolutely hit the floor with the next song: a cover of Alice Cooper’s “Under My Wheels”! It includes a snippet of “Suffragette City” and is absolutely brilliant!!! Marc Almond covering Alice Cooper!!! Who’d have thought it?!!

Sputnik’s “Love Missile F1-11” is unsurprisingly sung by Neal X, and is followed by another surprise (although I don’t think anything else will surprise me tonight) with The Sweet’s “Hell Raiser”. It utterly rocks like hell. Naturally the set draws to a close with a rocked up version of “Tainted Love”, and then the only actual Soft Cell song of the evening, “Heat”. I have to say that this has been incredible. The Loveless have an album out entitled “Meet The Loveless”. I shall be buying it. If you have anything approaching a love for rock ‘n’ roll, so should you.
Review by Mark Kelly