My Bloody Valentine play first gig in 16 years

My Bloody Valentine delighted their fans with a host of old classics as they played their first gig in 16 years tonight (June 13) at London's ICA.

The band, playing two 'warm up' shows at the venue before the tour proper starts next week (June 20), came onstage at 9.30pm to delirious cheers from the sold-out crowd.

Frontman Kevin Shields said: "Welcome to our rehearsal. The real gigs start next week at the Roundhouse", referring to MBV's five-night run at north London venue, which kicks off on June 20, and are their 'official' comeback dates.

The group then kicked off with 'Only Shallow', the opening track from their classic 1991 album 'Loveless', to huge cheers.

The four-piece, playing in front of a psychedelic backdrop and using fierce strobes, then went on to perform a 15-song set, concentrating wholly on the period between 1987 and 1991 when they were signed to Creation Records.

There were six songs from 'Loveless', including crowd favourite 'Soon', and four from the album which preceded it, 1988's 'Isn't Anything', including the single 'Feed Me With Your Kiss'.

The rest of the set was made up of tracks from the EPs the band recorded on the label, including the standard near 20-minute run through closer 'You Made Me Realise', My Bloody Valentine's first single on Creation. The group then received an ecstatic reception as they left the stage.

My Bloody Valentine was:

'Only Shallow'
'You Never Should'
'Honey Power'
'I Only Said'
'Cigarette In Your Bed'
'Thorn'
'Nothing Much To Lose'
'To Here Knows When'
'When You Sleep'
'Slow'
'Blown A Wish'
'Soon'
'Feed Me With Your Kiss'
'Sueisfine'
'You Made Me Realise'

The band play the ICA again tomorrow, before the UK tour 'proper' calls at:

London Roundhouse (June 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Manchester Apollo (28, 29)
Glasgow Barrowlands (July 2, 3)

To check MBV ticket availability and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS now, or call 0871 230 1094..

My Bloody Valentine tickets: