Primitive Instinct - Studio 6, Maidstone April 30th, 2025

As the lights dim, we hear the familiar sounds of fan-favourite instrumental "Hypnotic", from the "Floating Tangibility" album from 1994, with "Ideology" from the "Belief" album (released in 2000) right on it's tail. When you consider that PI only play a handful of gigs a year, it's astonishing how tight they sound. Sheridan and Hayes have known each other so long, you can see there is a real telepathy up there between them. For quite a while, PI dropped having a keyboard player. I'm very pleased that they've added Jonathan Vincent; he adds so many lovely touches throughout the gig. For some outfits, not having a vast selection of albums to choose from, could be an issue. Not so for PI. The few they've released contain so many great songs, they can include the vast majority at a live gig. As the first half moves on, standouts for me are "Finding My Way", "Primitive Instinct", and "Falling Down". The latter from the "One Man's Refuge" album (2012). Nick thinks that they've overrun the first half by 15 minutes, though he forgot that they came on 20 minutes after they should have.....

After a short interval, the pace continues early on in the set with the marvellous "Praying For The Rain". The song details how innocent people are caught up in wars. Sadly, the wars have changed over the years, though this song remains as relevant as ever. "Solitary Man" follows it, detailing how a rational thinking person can get isolated within our current, rather skewed, society. "Break on Through" wings it's way in next, unusual to hear it in this part of the set, as it's usually right after "Hypnotic" at the start. It's nice to see Steve Moore guest on Violin on a few songs this evening, adding a different edge to proceedings.  

Prior to the gig this evening, Pic promised to re-introduce "The Pic Trot", a little prance he performed on stage with some degree of regularity, particularly in the 1990's 3/4 of the way through, and still no sign. Nick asks if he's going to do it, though he remains coy. What a tease. As last year was the 30th Anniversary of the "Floating Tangibility" album, I guess it's fitting that we hear a good dose of it this evening. "Friend", "Circles", and "Triludan" are rammed into the latter part of the main set. "FT" had a very nice expanded reissue last year, very much worth a look for sure. Principle songwriter Sheridan seems to write great songs as easily as I make a cup of Tea. He's also a talented "sound man" too. 

With the set already having passed the two hour mark, the band disappear. However, the crowd hasn't had enough yet, so PI oblige and play us two more songs. Another fan-favourite, the lengthy "Chosen Few". This is certainly withing my Top 5 PI songs, it builds very dramatically throughout. I very much like Simon Harrison's take on the drumming withing this song. "Triludan", an oldie but goodie, wraps the whole evening up, concluding a 2 and a 1/2 hour set. You don't get that often, now, do you? Nick is promising a new PI album this year, very welcome news indeed. 

Well, we didn't get "The Pic Trot", though we did get everything else that you'd want from a gig. A long set, great musicianship, and a wonderful rapport with the crowd. With talk of a couple of festival slots this year, seeing them is a treat you deserve.