Maybe the NME’s incessant haranguing of classic British bands to reform is actually effective. Could it be that bi-monthly declarations of this band reforming or that band reuniting might actually cause those parties to reconsider their splits? Could they all be self-fulfilling prophecies?

This weekend saw The Verve play their first show together in nearly a decade. It was the first show with all four members since 1998 and featured a set heavy with classics and crowd pleasers. It wasn’t so long ago that the idea of such a reunion was dismissed as folly what with the notorious riff between singer Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe. But all things must pass and the band reformed in June to record new material. Five months later, they debuted just one new song in a 17-song set. But who’s complaining?

What with the Happy Mondays, Jesus and Mary Chain and now The Verve reuniting, maybe it’s not so crazy to think The Smiths and Stone Roses might be far behind. Mozzer might want to start researching testicle recipes .