No idea whose photo credit this is.

Been listening to Stateless again the last couple of days.  But listening once now triggers a memory from – ooh – 2006 I’d guess, around the time the album came out.

They’re playing at Leeds Rio’s, on its launch night, when it looked like it might be a really good venue.  It ended up not being, but that’s not the point.  It’s launch night, everyone’s excited, and I’m there with a good friend.  I’m on crutches, my leg in a big strap cast, having been dislocated at The Cockpit a few weeks earlier.  It’s probably my first night out since then.

Stateless come onstage.  They launch into Prism #1, which swells and grows around us.  We’re – um – not exactly sober.  The music’s dreamy and ethereal, dancing around the air of the club.  We’re about half-way back, on a riser, hands on the railings, holding on.  The lights swirl.  The music drifts.  I catch my friend’s eye.  We both smile a big, stupid, teeth-grinding smile.  And then dance.  Oh, man, we dance.

Right now, feeling rather ill with a nasty cold, certainly not under the influence of anything (actually not true – have taken some Morrisons Cold Relief Capsules), I listen to the album.  Prism’s just finished playing.  Now Exit is on.  I can’t wait for This Language, ’cause that’s totally another that sends me right back to that night.  And in this state, this state that’s so completely opposite to the one I was in then, all I want to do is dance, alone, in my bedroom.

That’s good music, y’know?

Later that night we headed over to the now defunct Trash and watched some RAWK bands strut their stuff.  We nodded along, still in the mood.  I think I ended up doing a horrible all-nighter at another friend’s house, actually, if it is indeed the same night I’m thinking off.  But it was always totally about Stateless.  What a tremendous record.  It is some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard.

EDIT: It occurs to me I should probably link to some of their music.