• Reviews

• All
• Music
• DVDs
• Live
• Cinema
• TV
• Books
• Comic Books
• Video Games

The Beta Band

Oct 01, 2025 By Dom Gourlay Photography by Ian Weston Web Exclusive

In an era of reunions and reformations, few people expected to ever see The Beta Band share a stage again. Although only active for just over seven years, their back catalogue is a near flawless treasure trove spread across half a dozen EPs and albums plus a handful of singles. Each and every one recommended in its own unique way, which is probably the biggest complement anyone can bestow upon The Beta Band. Unique and years ahead of their time.

Having split in 2004 heavily in debt to their former record label (Regal) with relationships at an all time low, The Beta Band often find themselves cited as a band that SHOULD HAVE BEEN rather than might have been. Should have been bigger, should have been internationally recognised rock stars, should have been household names, should have been the blueprint for future acts to watch and learn from. The list goes on. So, when vocalist and guitar player Steve Mason announced they were getting back together earlier this year, it was one of those “now or never” moments culminating in tickets being snapped up for every show as soon as they went on sale.

In a recent interview with Brooklyn Vegan, Mason said the reunion wasn’t about nostalgia but about coming full circle on something that was left in an unpleasant way. With no new music to promote and no pressure to write or record any, these shows have something of a celebratory air about them. Not just for people fortunate enough to see The Beta Band first time around, but also for those that never got the opportunity to witness the band or hear these songs performed live. So, it shouldn’t come a any surprise that anticipation levels were at fever pitch hours before the band - Mason, John McLean (keys/samples), Richard Greentree (bass) and Robin Jones 9drums) although all technically multi-instrumentalists - took to the stage.

But before we get onto the show, just a few words about one of my main gripes. People that insist on talking throughout gigs. I’ve never understood why someone would purchase a ticket for a show - and let’s be honest, ticket prices in medium to large sized venues don’t come cheap - then spend the entire duration of that performance chatting away to their group in earshot of everyone else trying to enjoy the event. Not only is it selfish to others that want to hear the show, its also disrespectful to the artists on stage giving it their all while trying to entertain those that have paid and want to enjoy the gig. Unfortunately, a few of these people were in attendance this evening and despite being repeatedly told to be quiet by numerous folks around them, continued their inane chatter often with their backs turned to he stage. So, without coming across as the proverbial party pooper, my message to these folks is PLEASE STAY AWAY in future. Nobody wants to hear your conversation, loud screams and laughter above the acts they’ve paid to see. Rant over.

Moving swiftly on, it’s almost 21 years since The Beta Band last played Nottingham’s Rock City (November 2004), and even longer since this scribe first saw them there in the autumn of 1999 touring their much maligned (mostly by the band members themselves) self-titled debut album, which has actually become one of the most underrated LPs of its time. There’s no support band tonight, just a DJ set from Beta Band keyboard player McLean followed by a short film interspersed with promo videos and shots of the band larking about that provides a perfect introduction for their arrival on stage. Indeed, the visuals are a key element throughout, veering from multi-coloured pastel lighting for that psychedelic touch, to stoic electric blue. Sometimes accompanied by more celluloid projections, other times just a simple spotlight shining on each member. But every time expertly pitched to create a sense of purpose and drama for each of the fifteen songs they play this evening.

Perhaps unsurprisingly heavily weighted towards the band’s first three EPs - Champion Versions, The Patty Patty Sound and Los Amigos Del Beta Bandidos - the set also includes choice cuts from each of The Beta Band’s three long players too. So while “Inner Meet Me” and “She’s The One” off 1998’s The Patty Patty Sound/EP2 open proceedings, a seemingly updated take on “Its Not Too Beautiful” off their aforementioned debut proves to be an early highlight on an evening of many. 2004’s “Assessment” - their last UK Top 40 charting single - sets the whole room off while “Push It Out” and “Needles In My Eyes” off 1998’s Los Amigos Del Beta Bandidos/EP3 act as timely reminders of why this band was tipped for world domination in the first place.

All four tracks off 1997’s debut EP Champion Versions get an airing, from the psychedelic groove of “Dog’s Got A Bone” to the tripped out bliss of “I Know” at the start of the encore, fairground rave banger “B + A” and lead single “Dry The Rain”, arguably still The Beta Band’s best known song as demonstrated by over 2000 voices singing it back at Mason and co, word for word to its buoyant refrain (“I will be your light”). Two of their later singles “Broke” and “Squares” (complete with “Daydream” refrain borrowed off the 1969 Wallace Collection single) are also rapturously received either side of the encore, before a tumultuous run through “The House Song” off EP2 brings the show to a skycraping close.

Tonight really was as good as it gets for a live performance. Masters of their craft in every conceivable way. The Beta Band didn’t just turn back the clock this evening, time finally caught up with them instead. The only question that remains is whether this really is the last time we’ll see them or whether this run of UK dates followed by October’s run of US shows has completely revitalised them into playing more shows next year. Whatever happens next, tonight will live long in the memory for all the right reasons.