Seeing Hugh Cornwell perform live is a reminder of just how much of an impact he has had on British music. As the driving force behind The Stranglers, a band I have seen on many occasions, Cornwell was responsible for writing and singing some of their most iconic tracks, from “No More Heroes” to “Golden Brown”. Even after leaving the band, he has carved out an impressive solo career, continuing to release sharp, inventive, and often darkly humorous albums. This Fire Station gig was a showcase of both his classic Stranglers material and his solo work, proving that he still has the same energy and presence that made him one of punk and new wave’s most distinctive voices.
Opening the night was eXTC, a band dedicated to keeping the music of XTC alive, led by original drummer Terry Chambers. XTC were always a fascinating band, shifting from their early punky, jerky rhythms to their later, more sophisticated pop sound. I was lucky enough to see them several times at Newcastle University and Newcastle Mayfair between 1978 and 1981, back when they were still actively touring.
It was great to hear their music performed live once again, especially songs like “Making Plans for Nigel” and “Senses Working Overtime”, which have stood the test of time. Though Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding are absent, Steve Hampton does a solid job on vocals, capturing the essence of the originals without attempting a carbon copy. The set ended on a high with “Generals and Majors”, a perfect example of XTC’s ability to blend catchy melodies with clever, biting lyrics.
And then came Hugh. The first part of the set focused on Cornwell’s solo work, much of it taken from his latest album Moments of Madness, as well as older solo tracks. “Coming Out of the Wilderness” and “Too Much Trash” set the tone early, blending his signature garage rock edge with lyrics full of wry observations. His distinctive, slightly menacing vocal delivery was in full force on “Delightful Nightmare” and “Totem” while other tracks showed his ability to weave together melody, tension, and biting wit.
Then came the Stranglers material, and the atmosphere shifted—the crowd was suddenly buzzing with recognition as “Nice ‘n’ Sleazy” kicked in. The highlights came thick and fast: “Golden Brown”, played with a delicate, almost hypnotic quality, “Duchess”, with its sharp new wave swagger, and “Nuclear Device”, which still sounds as urgent and rebellious as ever. He closed the set with “Wrong Way Round”, proving that he’s still more than capable of delivering something fresh and unpredictable.
It’s always a pleasure to see musicians with real pedigree still performing at such a high level. Hugh Cornwell remains a master of his craft, able to command the stage with an understated confidence, whether delivering spiky solo material or revisiting Stranglers classics. Meanwhile, eXTC provided a nostalgic yet powerful reminder of just how great XTC were—a band that, for all their quirks and oddities, left a lasting legacy on British music. This was a night of true veterans, proving that their music still holds as much weight today as it ever did.
Many thanks to Jan for the photographs and Laura and Chris for manipulating the site.
eXTC Setlist: This Is Pop, Statue of Liberty, Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me), Towers of London, Senses Working Overtime, Ball and Chain, The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead, Rocket From a Bottle, Living Through Another Cuba, Generals and Majors, Making Plans for Nigel.
Hugh Cornwell Setlist: Coming Out of the Wilderness, Too Much Trash, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Wrong Side of the Tracks, Delightful Nightmare, Golden Brown, Totem and Taboo, Bad Vibrations, Dead Loss Angeles, Moments of Madness, When I Was a Young Man, Tank, Pure Evil, Mr. Leather, Nuclear Device, Another Kind of Love, Duchess, Live it and Breathe it, Wired, Big Bug, Mothra, Wrong Way Round.
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