Have you heard???

Suede is celebrating their new music ...

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

[ broken music for broken people ]

... with a Southbank Centre Takeover!

The venue has described the series of events as:

"Suede Takeover

Tue 26 Aug – Fri 19 Sep 2025

Plunge into the grime and glitter of Suede’s musical world

The indie giants showcase the charged energy of their live performances at multiple gigs across our venues, marking the release of their tenth studio album."

The fans refer to it as:

"Suede-tember"

- Tues 26 Sept 2025

Antidepressants & Other Post-Punk Pick-Me-Ups

- Fri 12 Sept 2025

The Insatiable Ones Screening + Q&A

- Sat 13 Sept 2025

+ Bloodworm

- Sun 14 Sept 2025

+ Gazelle Twin

- Wed 17 Sept 2025

Off Mic

- Fri 19 Sept 2025

w/ Paraorchestra & Charles Hazlewood

Southbank Centre seems an ideal pairing for the art, creativity, and dignity that Suede has always presented. It provided the perfect backdrop to romanticize the milestone performance and the tour launch. More than just a venue, it's an experience that ignites core memory magic!

The website accurately states the multi-purpose venue is:

"The UK's largest arts centre & the heart of London's cultural life."

The location's standout Brutalist architecture is located nearby the iconic London Eye (giant ferris wheel), along the River Thames, with close proximity to the Jubilee Bridges and Waterloo Bridge. It offers gorgeous views of the water and surrounding skyline, while providing a space for world-class performances and exhibitions. It also features public art installations, cafes, bars, restaurants, and a skate park, making it a cherished public space and a vibrant cultural district. 

For the 26 August gig, Suede was scheduled to play in the Clore Ballroom of the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre. This area is normally open to the public and utilized for dance classes and intimate events and shows. Can you fathom the anticipation this created???

Excitement meter exceeded, indeed!

Suede fans are a rare group of extremely passionate and loyal followers. They jokingly refer to themselves as a "feral" audience but it seems there's a genuine respect and understanding amongst them and their interactions. Despite differences (in age, origin, style, etc), they gather under the common love for the band and especially for it's frontman, the one and only Brett Anderson. Brett is undoubtedly a poetic and talented entity to be admired and esteemed. His mere presence, gait, and posture demands affections but in the most humble manner. There's a clear reciprocity between this man and his "insatiable" assemblage. He often holds his palm to the crowd as if casting a spell or absorbing their energy. They, in return, lift their arms and reach for him in an almost religious praise. This god-like/worshipper interaction is further demonstrated when Mr. Anderson steps off the stage to walk amongst the screaming cult-ish followers and they sway in unison attempting to touch his sweat drenched clothes or body. The smiles of all involved parties speak for themselves. Everyone is somehow intensely benefiting from these cathartic situations, and respect that there's only so much of him to give and limited time to do it in. In apparent response to Brett's loving leadership and offering of cinematic life-altering soundtracks, the fans go above and beyond to show their appreciation. Some travel from far & wide, attend multiple blocks of shows on each tour, merch is purchased in bulk, "tasteless bracelets" and badges are exchanged, band member gift giving coordinations occur, autographs and photos are coveted, and orderly queuing is serious business (not to be played with). It's a fascinating phenomenon to witness and even more so if you partake in the mutual symbiosis. 

On Tuesday 26 August, Southbank Centre was alive with the excited jitters of an enthusiastic gathering of fans prepared for an intimate performance in the Clore Ballroom. An afternoon peep revealed a low-rise, circular platform was centered in the curtained-off venue space, leaving limited standing room. Tickets had been scarce and the lucky holders stood proudly in line with the 1st to arrive bearing Sharpie marker numbers on their hands. Some of those early birds were lucky to catch the soundcheck, while they sat on the indoor stairs awaiting entry. Chatter halted as they leaned in to the auditory treat by their most loved band. 

[ This is less of a review and more of an experience share. If you're here ISO a setlist, please find one amongst the images below. ]

If you've ever seen Suede perform, you know that Brett Anderson owns the stage! He's certainly one of the best frontman to exist! This show was no different in that respect. What was unique about this event was a preview of the yet to be released Antidepressants material in full. The concert was listed as "Antidepressants And Other Post-Punk Pick-Me-Ups" which left room for possibilities. Our intrigue and curiosity were peaked! We were to learn this meant 2 sets, the 1st of which was the complete track list off the new album & the latter comprised of nothing earlier than 2013, marking this as a post-reunion centered gig.

Although some of the Antidepressants songs were already shared via teaser music videos, many of them had never been heard. It didn't seem to matter that these were 1st time listens for the audience, as Brett has a way of selling you on his passion, intent, and storytelling. The new tunes are so catchy that everyone was immediately drawn in, hanging on each lyric, and chorus sing-alongs seemed to happen naturally. Everything fell into place and the Suede live traditions commenced as a unifying blanket of synthetic fog covered the room.

Clearly pleased with the response, Brett's eyes shined in satisfaction. Dancing vigorously and almost writhing in communal intimacy, he intensely crooned, warbled, and chanted out his lyrics as fans reacted to his varying vibes accordingly. Without giving too much away, we promise the new music and lyrics will fulfill & then surpass all of the forecasted hopes for this record. This band can really take you on a mental and emotional journey and it somehow feels personally applicable to each individual. This is particularly evident during their live performances. As Brett once claimed they are the best live band in the world and it'd sure be hard to refute that statement.

Highlights included:

1) It's adorable how Brett interacts with the front row with intense eye contact and hand holds, sometimes dropping hard to his knees. There are a handful of true-blue Suede lovers that Brett seems to be well acquainted with and gives them special attention in the most endearing way. It's lovely to see really.

2) Brett's offstage ventures to mingle with the audience have become a fan favorite. This often includes hugs, selfies, boosts over the barrier (when applicable), and assistance guiding the mic chord. This time there was a precious circle of dancers that formed around him as he showed off his best moves. Thankfully someone caught this glorious moment on video & shared it on social media.

In recent interviews Brett has made some bold remarks about the new album, declaring his "anti-nostalgia" POV and using descriptions like post-punk, dark, and goth. He's vaguely alluded to an underlying commentary on the human condition and society reaching a pivotal point (likening it to pressure cooker). So, the songs are clearly meant to be enjoyed surface-level but also must contain a deeper message to be pondered pertaining to current times (applicable personally and to the broader spectrum). That deep-dive duality separates them from the recent Brit Pop revival and perhaps that's quite intentional? Or maybe it's just an innate part of what makes Mr. Anderson the artist that he is.

Hats off to (& sincere praise for):

- Richard Oakes (guitar & "the man who saved Suede")

- Mat Osman (bass & founding member)

- Simon Gilbert (drums & king of "effortlessly cool")

- Neil Codling (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals)

for being the true pillars of the band.

It's well understood that none of this would be possible without them. There's a chemistry between them that we all acknowledge and cherish. It's worth mentioning that Mat is very deserving of the title "bass virtuoso" & should have been celebrated as such long ago. (We're rooting for him to go down in history as such.) The new songs & this show proved that these guys still have "it" and at their core is a desire to remain ever-evolving while maintaining that Suede-y essence that we all know & love.

A few tiny gripes:

1) The set was fairly short, relatively speaking (which we'd all been fair warned about). They exited stage leaving us wanting a bit more but that's to be expected. Apparently we can't get enough, eh?

2) Since this show was in such a small place with very low ceilings, Brett was unable to send his microphone into orbit like a wild cowboy roping in cattle. This is yet another of his usual antics that can be both thrilling and terrifying - ha! Maybe next time?

The only thing that soothes the post-show-blues is the fact that many of the staunch fans are set to attend multiple dates on the upcoming Antidepressants tour. We'll be living vicariously through their tantalizing tales & generous photo shares. That being said, we highly suggest if you've ever had an inkling to see Suede live, don't miss out on your chance to experience them in all their glory. You can be certain, it'll surely be worth the time, effort, and expense. If that's not possible, at the very least, plan on purchasing your own copy of Antidepressants on vinyl or CD. There are a few variations on the market that make for great gifts and/or temptations to become a completist collector.

Thank you Suede for all you do and for the hole you fill in our hearts as we navigate through our daily lives and await future opportunities to experience your talent live or otherwise. There's no one else we'd rather get sweaty with! We love you all to bits!

You are appreciated!

- Suede's management team for taking a gamble on our publication and trusting us to feature this spotlight.

- The kind fans who helped us navigate the gig (from pre to post happenings).

- The amazing Insatiable Ones (Suede fan community) photographers who donated their gorgeous images for this issue.

- My companions, collaborators, family, and friends for encouraging my delusions and believing in me to see it through. You know who you are!