Suede return to Engine Shed

By Jo Richards

Suede, one of the UK’s most iconic indie bands, return to play The Engine Shed next month as part of their UK tour. 

The band will be promoting its tenth studio album, Antidepressants, together with selected tracks from its extensive back catalogue. 

It’s 35 years since singer Brett Anderson formed Suede with Bernard Butler, which crafted a unique songwriting partnership. The original line up featured Justine Frischman on guitar, who later went on to have success with Elastica. 

Suede started by playing the gig circuit in small Camden venues, but it was not long before they caught the attention of major record labels. In 1992, Melody Maker described them as, ‘the best new band in Britain’. Together with Oasis, Blur and Pulp, they were part of the ‘Big Four’ of the Britpop movement. 

Their self-titled debut album reached Number One in 1993, and it was the fastest selling album in a decade, out-selling Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s, Welcome to the Pleasure Dome. 

From that album came the mammoth hits: ‘So Young’ ‘Animal Nitrate’ and ‘Metal Mickey’. The NME at the time said the band had, ‘charm, aggression and something a little bit dangerous and exciting’. 

Brett Anderson was a striking frontman in the 90s, with a look reminiscent of a young Bryan Ferry, matched with the sexual ambiguity of David Bowie. But by the fourth album he had succumbed to addiction and the music subsequently suffered. 

Brett was determined to conquer his demons and the 21st Century reincarnation of Suede has been massively successful with a welcome return to form. Brett remains stylish and charismatic and clearly trains hard to manage the physical demands of touring. 

The last performance at The Engine Shed back in December 2023 was nostalgic and energetic and this show promises to be no different.

Suede – The Engine Shed, Lincoln   Monday 9 February