On a stage shrouded in thick dry ice at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, a bus shelter emerges from the mist, and a figure clad in black steps forward. Mike Skinner, the mastermind behind the Streets, has arrived to transport the audience back in time. With a pint in one hand and a microphone in the other, he launches into the opening lines: "It was supposed to be so easy..." Instantly, the year 2004 is resurrected, setting the tone for a night of musical nostalgia.
A Concept Album Brought to Life
In his memoir, Skinner reflected that if he had aimed for mass appeal, he would never have crafted a concept album centered on losing a thousand pounds behind a television. Yet, that very premise defines his 2004 masterpiece, A Grand Don't Come for Free, a British classic that has clearly endured across generations, as evidenced by the enthusiastic and diverse crowd at the Corn Exchange. This tour marks the first time the album is being performed in its entirety, a move that can often be risky but proves triumphant here.
Semi-Theatrical Staging and Deadpan Delivery
The show's staging is deliberately semi-theatrical, with Skinner, dressed head to toe in Stone Island, fully embodying his character throughout all eleven tracks. He maintains a stoic, deadpan demeanor, never breaking the fourth wall to acknowledge the audience. Between verses, he sits in the bus shelter, exuding a glum, zen-like torpor reminiscent of a snooker player awaiting his turn, while backing singers deliver powerful choruses that amplify the album's narrative.
The vocalists play a pivotal role, particularly Roo Savill, who shines as Simone, the girlfriend in the album's storyline. Her performances range from flirtatious on "Could Well Be In" to combative in "Get Out of My House," adding depth and emotion to the live rendition. The band impressively recreates the album's colourful sound world, ensuring the picaresque nature of the record translates seamlessly into a recital format.
Second Act and Crowd Interaction
Following a brief interval, Skinner shifts gears, performing a selection of other works from his repertoire. Breaking character, he becomes more playful, rapping directly into fans' faces and phones. This lighter approach works well for upbeat tracks like "Don't Mug Yourself," but feels somewhat at odds with the poignant "Never Went to Church," a beautiful tribute to his late father, where the goofing around can undermine the song's emotional weight.
While the second act may seem a bit padded out, it's a minor quibble given the strength of the first half. The evening culminates with Skinner crowd-surfing during "Take Me As I Am," before bringing the performance full circle with the apt closing line: "It was s'posed to be so eeeeeasy..." He makes it look effortless, capping off a night that celebrates a seminal album with both reverence and energy.
The Streets continue their tour with a performance at Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on 19 February, followed by dates across the UK and Europe starting 6 June, offering fans more opportunities to experience this revival of a British classic.
