For a few tantalizing months in the late 90’s, The Beta Band were the Next Big Thing. After the release of The Three EPs, they were being name dropped by the likes of Noel Gallagher and were featured weekly in the NME and Melody Maker. The buzz was palpable. Their strange brew of groovy, percussion heavy indie rock was a breath of fresh air on a stale UK indie scene.
Then things went a bit pear-shaped. They disavowed their debut album and when the music press ran with the story, that seemed to be all you’d hear about them. Their sophomore album release was hampered when the band had to shelve the first single because another group was already in the charts with a song using the same sample. And just like that, the hype was gone.
Their live show never suffered though, as far as I could tell from the three times I saw them. A wonderful chaos fueled whirlwind of switched instruments and big jams that was weird and most if all, fun.
And after seeing them for the first time in 24 years last at the 9:30 Club on Oct. 24, I am happy to report that their live show still absolutely rules. Frontman Steve Mason led keyboardist John Maclean, bassist Richard Greentree and drummer Robin Jones started out with two of their best tracks, “Inner Meet Me” and “She’s The One” before their very Pink FLoyd-ish ”It’s Not Too Beautiful.”
Watch the official music video for “Inner Meet Me” by The Beta Band on YouTube:
Every member of the band switched instruments or pulled double duty throughout the set. They all played the bongos at some point. They all switched instruments on “Needles in My Eyes” with Mason on keys, Jones on guitar, Maclean on bass, and Greentree on drums.
They setlist was very heavy on The Three EPs, but I was very happy to hear “Assessment” (their most straightforward indie guitar song) from Heroes to Zeros, as well as the trip-hoppy “Alleged” from Hot Shots II.
They saved “Dry The Rain” for late in the set, and it was a show-stopper in all the best ways. The encore consisted of “I Know,” “Squares,” and an extra-long rendition of “The House Song” that had a few false endings to draw the night to a very satisfying close.
The Beta Band were close to fame and fortune at the turn of the century and fans haven’t forgotten them despite the years of inactivity from the group. It’s great to see them on this well-deserved victory lap that undoubtedly thrilled old fans and won over new ones.
Setlist:
Inner Meet Me
She’s the One
It’s Not Too Beautiful
Assessment
Alleged
Push It Out
Needles in My Eyes
Dog’s Got a Bone
Dr. Baker
B + A
Dry the Rain
Broke
Encore:
Play Video
Squares
The House Song
Here are some photos of The Beta Band performing live at the 9:30 Club on Oct. 28, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Kyle Gustafson.
