The Psychedelic Furs have never been a major draw in France, so the sight of a half-empty Élysée-Montmartre was not entirely surprising. Still, it felt undeserved for a band with such a rich catalogue of songs that have aged far better than most from their era. Lesser groups might have treated the turnout as an excuse to coast through the night. The Furs did the opposite. They played with energy, conviction, and good humour, as if the room were full.
Richard Butler has evolved from his early John Lydon sneer into something closer to a Bowie-like elegance. His brother Tim, steadfast on bass, still dresses as if the 1980s never ended, which somehow fits perfectly. None of that really matters, though. What mattered was how “Dumb Waiters,” “Love My Way,” “The Ghost in You,” and “Pretty in Pink” sounded. Each one felt vital, melodic, and unmistakably theirs. The modest but devoted crowd sang along to every word, a reminder that this music still resonates.
It feels strange to think of the Psychedelic Furs as a classic band now, yet that is what they have become. The 1980s may have produced their share of sonic missteps, yet the Furs remain one of the decade’s great redemptions. Even if the film Pretty in Pink has not aged well, the song that inspired it still shines, a perfect slice of melancholy pop that secures the band’s place in rock history.
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