Nitzer Ebb
Photos and review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography
Nitzer Ebb came to the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles on September 5th after originally being booked at The Fonda, and the move worked super nicely because the El Rey was the perfect size and feel. The crowd was millennial+, with an impressive 80s and 90s t-shirt fashion show on display, and once the music started the bar chatter stopped and everybody locked in.
These days Nitzer Ebb is fronted by original band member Bon Harris and backed by founding member David Gooday and longtime collaborator Jason Payne, who handle drums and electronics. Bon’s the lone vocalist now that Douglas McCarthy has passed, and he does a great job as front and center showman, with his Dave Gahan moves and his strong voice, stalking the stage like a twenty year old. I’ve seen Nitzer Ebb three times, both long ago– once at Camden Palace where McCarthy did a nsfw dance onstage and shocked my little eyeballs, and twice opening for Depeche Mode at Dodger Stadium. There is nothing like hearing Depeche Mode’s “PIMFP” opening a show in an arena, and similarly there is nothing like hearing the first bars of “Fun To Be Had” echoing around a giant venue.
This show was super energetic throughout the 17 songs played, and kicked off with “Hearts and Minds” and “Control I’m Here,” which set the pace and the feel of the night. A few songs later “Lightning Man” was amazing and delightful, and got all the former 90s industrial kids moving. Then we got “Come Alive” and “Cherry Blossom” (my request from Big Hit for next tour would be “Kick It” please!) and then towards the end look at these songs all in a row– “Fun to Be Had,” “Godhead,” (so great live), “Join In The Chant,” “Let Your Body Learn,” “Murderous,” and then the night closed with “I Give To You” as the encore. I mean come on, we couldn’t have asked for more.
This show felt great. It sounded great and the setlist was great but overall it just felt great. I wondered beforehand if it was going to work without McCarthy, and he is missed in lots of ways. But Bon Harris hasn’t skipped a performing beat and he sounds really great and the show was just a fantastic night out.
The tour continues in the US through the end of September, and I highly recommend seeing them at a stop near you. Go to www.nitzerebbprodukt.com for all the latest.
