Thirty years after the release of If You’re Feeling Sinister, Belle and Sebastian proved that some albums become woven into the fabric of your life. You might not have listened to it for 20 years, but somehow you still know every word, the tracklisting and, as frontperson Stuart Murdoch delighted in testing the audience, exactly how many songs remain.
The Glasgow indie icons arrived in Australia to celebrate the anniversary of the album widely regarded as a ’90s masterpiece, performing it in full to a crowd of devoted fans. Looking around the Enmore, it was clear the album’s appeal spans generations. One fan was singing and dancing through every song, often with his back to the stage as he turned to his mates and soaked up the atmosphere. In the front row of the gallery, a young woman who was likely not even born when the album was released knew every lyric, sat on the edge of her seat, gripped the balcony rail, and enthusiastically called out her favourites during the audience-request portion of the night. Others seemed ready to leap on stage at any moment, but more on that later!
A five-star evening
Judging by the crowd’s reaction, this was a five-star evening. Before Belle and Sebastian took the stage, Melbourne outfit Bananagun warmed up the room with a colourful, groove-laden set that hinted at the instrumental riches still to come. Their percussion-heavy sound, complete with bongos, maracas and bells, proved an unexpectedly fitting prelude to a night that celebrated musical mastery as much as songwriting.
What immediately strikes you about Belle and Sebastian live is the sheer variety of instruments on display. In an era when many bands rely on standard rock arrangements, this felt like a masterclass. Violin and cello sat alongside piano, keys, guitar and bass, while tambourines, bells and assorted percussion drifted in and out of songs like additional characters. At times there seemed to be an instrument change every few minutes, with the nine-piece band effortlessly swapping roles.
A charming set
The songs themselves remain remarkably fresh. “Stars of Track and Field”, “Seeing Other People” and “Fox in the Snow” sounded every bit as charming and emotionally astute as they did three decades ago. The latter arrived like a lullaby, accompanied by beautiful imagery on the screen behind the band, prompting one of the evening’s most attentive silences.
But this was never a museum-piece performance. Belle and Sebastian have always balanced wistfulness with playfulness, and that spirit was on full display. Murdoch ventured into the crowd, singing alongside fans, while “The Boy With the Arab Strap” saw dozens of audience members invited on stage to dance with the band, transforming the theatre into a joyful communal celebration.
By the time the set closed with a run of crowd-pleasers, the atmosphere felt warm and familiar, like catching up with an old friend. Thirty years on, If You’re Feeling Sinister still inspires remarkable devotion, and Belle and Sebastian’s Enmore Theatre performance demonstrated exactly why. This wasn’t simply a celebration of a beloved album. It was a reminder that great songs, played by exceptional musicians, can still bring people together in the most life-affirming way.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The last show of the tour is in Perth on Friday night, 18th September. Tickets HERE.
Reviewer attended 13.09.26. Photos from the author.
