The second night of Killing Joke at the Ancienne Belgique featured a shorter set than the first night. In spite of what was advertised, Pandemonium wasn’t played in its entirety. Notable missing tracks were Millennium and Jana.
On the other hand, songs from periods I hadn’t expected to hear were played, such as The Hum, which was the evening’s opening salvo.
Although the evening had been advertised as featuring songs from the band’s original singles on the Island label, Turn To Red was the only song played from this era. A shame, as I would have liked to hear Are You Receiving?
There was also some overlap with the previous night’s set list. Love Like Blood, Eighties, Change, Wardance, Pssyche and other perennial favourites were hammered out with verve.
Highlights of the evening were Change, Communion and an absolutely mental rendition of Whiteout.
The set was shorter than the first night, disappointingly so, because I was still anticipating the rest of the Pandemonium album and the Island singles. Like a meal at a top restaurant, I cleaned my plate and was left wanting more.
The sound, once again, was excellent. The audience were animated and admirably fulfilled their symbiotic duty to create a great atmosphere. I left the gig soaked in a mixture of beer and sweat, most of it other people’s.
After a quick drink, I picked up my bags and began the drive back to Amsterdam. I pulled up into the drive at 01:35, just in time to find Lucas yelling in pain and vomiting. My poor son was feeling very much under the weather.
By the time I’d had a shower, it was 03:30 and I was spent. A day of walking around Brussels in the rain, followed by a Killing Joke gig and the drive back to Amsterdam had used me up.
It was good to get back home, but equally satisfying to have made the trip to see Killing Joke. I would be regretting it now if I hadn’t gone.
Instead, I find myself wishing I could slip away to attend the London concerts, but I’m needed around here and would miss the children too much, anyway.
Sarah got a kilo of Leonida’s finest wares out of it, too. And just to ensure no-one was left empty-handed at the end of my visit, Eloïse got a new jig-saw puzzle and Lucas a cuddly toy.