6 Music - Music News

Big Audio Dynamite played their first gig since 1989 at the Academy in Liverpool last night.

The show featured the band's full original line-up,  including ex-Clash man Mick Jones and 6 Music very's own Don Letts.

It was the first of nine UK tour dates, before the group head off to the States for the Coachella festival in California. After Coachella, they return home for more festivals, including Glastonbury.

Speaking to 6 Music after the Liverpool show, Jones explained why they had chosen Liverpool to launch their UK tour: "After London, it's our second home. They love us here and we love them. That's why we started here because we knew we'd get a good start off," he said.

Big Audio Dynamite first formed in 1984 and Jones said they have remained friends, which made this reunion a lot easier than most: "The advantage is that we haven't become estranged from each other," Jones said.

"We've always remained friends and we all hang out and go to BBQ's and that sort of thing. It wasn't like a 'Who are you?' reunion."

It was playing with Gorillaz that left Jones feeling "invigorated" and inspired to reform B.A.D but he said playing with his old band was definitely a shock to the system after touring with Gorillaz: "It was much easier for me when I was doing Gorillaz because it wasn't all on me -- it was all on Damon [Albarn]. But now it's a lot more on me," he said.

"I had to learn the lyrics but it came back quite well because once you sing the first line then rest all comes back. It's like riding a bike!"

Listen to Elizabeth Alker's interview with Mick Jones back stage after the show: