MERCURY REV (London Islington Assembly Hall, 19/03/25)

Jonathan, Grasshopper and co. at their most hippy-dippy, elongating songs, covering Vangelis and generally aiming for synth-washed blissfulness rather than brevity. And it generally worked, though stadium rock drumming threatened to overwhelm the otherwise zen-like vibes. Lots of Deserters' Songs to sate the casuals, but my highlight was the new-to-me "Ancient Love", which was a perfect centerpiece for this good, if frustrating set.