Primal Scream // Esmeralda Road // The Come Ahead Tour – Live Review // The Ulster Hall // Belfast
As we landed down at the Iconic Ulster Hall, you could feel the palpable sense of excitement all around by those who were clambering into the venue to catch a glimpse once again of their favourite band, lifetime fans all joined together with love for all things Primal. It was an eclectic crowd, to say the least; you could see parents with their kids, sharing these life experiences for possibly the first time, wide-eyed, grinning like Cheshire cats at the thought of bringing the live experience of Primal Scream to a young fan’s heart and mind in such a glorious venue. The headliners are on at 9pm but the bars are packed and those who want to catch an eyeful are here early ready to party!
Up first, we have a youthful local band, Esmeralda Road, new to me and an unknown quantity as they hit the stage at 8 pm sharp, these guys were just not what I was expecting at all, pop-infused jazz fusion meets indie rock I guess? The band won the 2023 NI Music Prize for their debut single ‘To U’ and were awarded a trophy at this very venue, a talented bunch for sure, quirky and individual in sound they have supported the likes of Brògeal on an Irish tour in the spring of 2024 becoming good friends with the Scotsmen before going on to support Liam Gallagher on his stadium Irish dates in Limerick and Belfast. So they are ones to watch for sure on the Irish scene which is seriously vibrant at present with so many bands catching the eye of those far and wide.
The Ulster Hall clearly appreciated what Esmeralda Road brought to the party, digging their loose and fluid sound, and by the end of the set, they had made their mark on yet again another packed-out Ulster Hall. It will be interesting to see where these guys go from here, is Northern Ireland ready for Esmeralda Road? Time will tell.
Let me tell you something straight up—Primal Scream haven’t just still got it. They’re operating on a whole other level right now.
I’ve been following these guys for over two decades—seen them in muddy festival fields, sweaty clubs, and a few arena nights that felt more like spiritual revivals than gigs. But there was a special energy in the air when stepping into Belfast’s Ulster Hall last night, a venue soaked in musical history and character. It wasn’t just nostalgia—it was now. This was the Scream fully reloaded, fresh off the back of their storming new album Come Ahead, and they came out swinging.
From the moment Bobby Gillespie stepped on stage—decked out in sharp black, with a white jacket, lean and laser-focused—you knew this wasn’t going to be some legacy act phoning it in. No chance. As they kicked off the place lifted. That deep, swaggering bassline and Bobby’s icy cool delivery felt like a mission statement. This is Primal Scream in 2025: confident, political, psychedelic, and totally dialled in.
The new tracks sound even better live, hit with a Stooges-level ferocity—guitars snarling, synths pulsing like a heartbeat in overdrive, the band creates a sonic tapestry landing somewhere between gospel and acid house, with that anthemic chorus sending the whole crowd into a proper transcendental moment. I swear I saw people crying and grinning in the same breath.
And let’s not forget the classics. They sprinkled them in like holy relics. “Movin’ On Up” was pure euphoria, the whole hall bouncing and singing every word. “Swastika Eyes” came in like a hammer—still furious, still absolutely vital in a world that keeps spinning sideways. When they dropped “Come Together”, I honestly felt like I was levitating. It’s still one of the coolest, most hypnotic tracks to ever close your eyes to in a dark room with strobes going.
Bobby’s voice was sharp and strong throughout, and his presence… man, it’s magnetic. He doesn’t say much between songs, but when he does, it lands.
Special mention too for the band. Andrew Innes’s guitar work is still filthy in the best way, Married with Simone Butlers thumping bass and Darrin Mooney on drums and not forgetting those glorious backing vocalists, keys and more, it was an absolute beast all night. The newer production touches from Come Ahead—clearly influenced by David Holmes—translated beautifully live. It’s got that gritty Belfast soul mixed with cosmic vibes and revolutionary spirit. You could tell it meant something special playing it here.
Honestly, the Ulster Hall show felt like a proper moment. Not just a great gig, but a reaffirmation of everything Primal Scream stand for: evolution, energy, rebellion, and connection. For an old fan like me—and judging by the grins, the tears, and the sheer noise of that crowd, I wasn’t alone—it felt like coming home. Loud, sweaty, euphoric home.
If the Come Ahead tour is rolling anywhere near you, do not miss it. The Scream are on fire, and they’re taking no prisoners.
By a longtime Screamadelica disciple who’s still riding the wave!
The new album ‘Come Ahead’ OUT NOW, 2025 UK and Ireland tour on sale now. https://linktr.ee/primalscreamofficial
Photography: Mark McGrogan
