I should start off by putting this night into perspective. Firstly, I managed to get near the front, but was crushed up in an incredibly hot atmosphere, more so than I've ever experienced. Then my phone was stolen. Not a good night you might think.
But there you'd be wrong, because I was seeing Rise Against. They start with Collapse (Post-Amerika), one of the best of the new crop of tracks, moving on to State Of The Union, by which point I've started to lose my voice. It almost completely goes over the next few songs, Re-education (Through Labour), The Good Left Undone, Paper Wings, Drones, everyone met with thousands singing at the tops of their voices. But it doesn't stop there. Blood to Bleed, Audience Of One, Saviour, Survive, then of course Prayer Of The Refugee, for which the biggest cheer of the night goes up.
But it really comes to a climax with the first encore, an acoustic set of Swing Life Away and Hero Of War, which has everyone swaying arms and singing and leaves me with raised hairs and goosebumps. Absolutely brilliant. But it isn't over yet. Give It All then Ready To Fall see us out, and the crowd go absolutely mental again. Quite possibly, this was one of the best gigs Brixton Academy has ever seen and a fantastic night was had by all (even by me and dozens of people who queued up at the lost property area in a fruitless attempt to find our phones). 10/10
Sunday 22 November 2009
Thursday 19 November 2009
Alice In Chains: A kinky sex show. Maybe not.
Alice In Chains
Kentish Town Forum
One of the main bands to come out of the early 90s grunge scene, though with more in common with metal than the other bands of the era, Alice In Chains are now touring in support a new album, "Black Gives Way To Blue". It's quite good, you should check it out. Anyway...
The support band for tonight are seemingly unknown, or at least most of the people there had no clue who they were. Oxford trio "Little Fish" apparently. They get off to a poor start, the opening track is rather dull, but its very much uphill from there. The singer has a powerful voice and she seems to be a little psychotic, which is always good, plus the songs get a lot better. Well worth checking out. (8/10)
Between the bands some nice fellow (read: wanker) throws a cup of liquid which splashes me and my friends in the face. It was warm. Lovely. (-200/10)
But now for the main event. As a recent convert to the Alice In Chains fold, I wasn't sure what I'd make of the gig. I had listened to some tracks and really enjoyed them, but what if everything else was rubbish? I needn't have worried. They start with It Ain't Like That, and Again, typically deep dark dirty tracks. "Them Bones" and "Dam That River" from their best album "Dirt" sound even better live and the new tracks, particularly "Check My Brain", fit in perfectly with the classics. We're treated to an acoustic set in the middle, before we go full steam ahead towards the encore, finishing with a rousing and emotional "Rooster", the screen adorned with the words "NO WAR". William DuVall proves to be a more than competent replacement for the late Layne Staley, his voice is incredibly similar and just as intoxicating. Jerry Cantrell is brilliant, harmonising beautifully with William throughout, and it turns out he's a pretty good guitarist too. A classic performance from a classic band that actually cannot really be faulted. (10/10)
Kentish Town Forum
One of the main bands to come out of the early 90s grunge scene, though with more in common with metal than the other bands of the era, Alice In Chains are now touring in support a new album, "Black Gives Way To Blue". It's quite good, you should check it out. Anyway...
The support band for tonight are seemingly unknown, or at least most of the people there had no clue who they were. Oxford trio "Little Fish" apparently. They get off to a poor start, the opening track is rather dull, but its very much uphill from there. The singer has a powerful voice and she seems to be a little psychotic, which is always good, plus the songs get a lot better. Well worth checking out. (8/10)
Between the bands some nice fellow (read: wanker) throws a cup of liquid which splashes me and my friends in the face. It was warm. Lovely. (-200/10)
But now for the main event. As a recent convert to the Alice In Chains fold, I wasn't sure what I'd make of the gig. I had listened to some tracks and really enjoyed them, but what if everything else was rubbish? I needn't have worried. They start with It Ain't Like That, and Again, typically deep dark dirty tracks. "Them Bones" and "Dam That River" from their best album "Dirt" sound even better live and the new tracks, particularly "Check My Brain", fit in perfectly with the classics. We're treated to an acoustic set in the middle, before we go full steam ahead towards the encore, finishing with a rousing and emotional "Rooster", the screen adorned with the words "NO WAR". William DuVall proves to be a more than competent replacement for the late Layne Staley, his voice is incredibly similar and just as intoxicating. Jerry Cantrell is brilliant, harmonising beautifully with William throughout, and it turns out he's a pretty good guitarist too. A classic performance from a classic band that actually cannot really be faulted. (10/10)
Monday 2 November 2009
bit more music now...
Two more gigs to report on today.
Dananananananananananananaykroid (number of anananananas varies) and support
Scala at King's Cross
In poor journalist form, I knew very little about the band before I came to this having only listened to a few tracks on their myspace page and thinking "it's OK".
I knew even less about the support bands. The first of these, "Calories", had to come up against the might of the 8 people in the venue when they started, but they seemed very relaxed and spent the first minute joking with us. More came in after they had begun. Musically they're OK, probably fitting into what some may refer to as the "indie" label, and they do well for not having practised for a month due to illness (they told us this). They're by far the funniest guys on the stage tonight, and the fact they seem to be really enjoying themselves very much helps their cause. (7/10)
If you were in the bar when the nest band "Dinosaur Pile-up" start to play, you' d be forgiven for thinking that Kurt Cobain had come back to life and had reformed Nirvana. If you were actually in the hall, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Kurt Cobain had come back to life and had reformed Nirvana. The sound, the looks, the moves while playing are all taken from the famous grunge band (though the between song banter is more chatty and jocular than theirs). They're not bad at re-creating the style, but you'd have to wonder what Kurt would have said about a band with absolutely no originality whatsoever. (4/10)
Then come the main act. They do have some originality, and plenty of energy. The two singers jump around, interact with the crowd (physically and vocally) and generally have fun the whole night. The same goes for the rest of the band. They are talented, energetic and interesting, something you don't really get from their recordings; Every one of their songs sounds 10 times better live. A truly great performance that has left many of those in attendance wanting more. (9/10)
Frank Turner and support
Shepherds Bush Empire
Folky folky folk folk folk. Yes.
First act on tonight is Beans On Toast, basically a guy with a gruff voice singing (not particularly well) about being annoyed about things. At first he doesn't really appeal, but after a few minutes you see what he's saying. His songs are simple, and often amusing. His rapping accompanied by an accordion is welcome and helps to break up a set which otherwise would have gotten boring fairly quickly. (6/10)
Fake Problems start off similarly not really appealing, but they don't get better. Its pretty dull stuff really. But a few people seem to like them (not sure why), so they get some kudos at least. (5/10)
After this, the stage goes dark and a traditional English folk song comes over the PA. The band appear on stage, and start up with "Live Fast Die Old." Then to a huge roar appears Frank Turner, and the dancing commences.
Turner has a lot of energy tonight, especially for the last date on the tour. He sings passionately on every song, backed up by the 2,000 fans belting out his songs as if they were their own. New single "The Road", "Try This At Home" are early highlights, but the show just gets better. "Sons Of Liberty" conjures up images of Bill Bragg gigs, fists pumping in political harmony. But what Frank Turner does well are songs about his life and his mates, proved tonight by rousing renditions of "I Knew Prufrock Before He Was Famous", "Reasons Not To Be An Idiot" and "Long Live The Queen". "Photosynthesis" is a good choice to go out on (and thank god he did an encore, not leaving us with "Journey Of The Magi", the worst song of the set), and rounds off a fantastic and clearly emotional night for Frank. (9/10)
Dananananananananananananaykroid (number of anananananas varies) and support
Scala at King's Cross
In poor journalist form, I knew very little about the band before I came to this having only listened to a few tracks on their myspace page and thinking "it's OK".
I knew even less about the support bands. The first of these, "Calories", had to come up against the might of the 8 people in the venue when they started, but they seemed very relaxed and spent the first minute joking with us. More came in after they had begun. Musically they're OK, probably fitting into what some may refer to as the "indie" label, and they do well for not having practised for a month due to illness (they told us this). They're by far the funniest guys on the stage tonight, and the fact they seem to be really enjoying themselves very much helps their cause. (7/10)
If you were in the bar when the nest band "Dinosaur Pile-up" start to play, you' d be forgiven for thinking that Kurt Cobain had come back to life and had reformed Nirvana. If you were actually in the hall, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Kurt Cobain had come back to life and had reformed Nirvana. The sound, the looks, the moves while playing are all taken from the famous grunge band (though the between song banter is more chatty and jocular than theirs). They're not bad at re-creating the style, but you'd have to wonder what Kurt would have said about a band with absolutely no originality whatsoever. (4/10)
Then come the main act. They do have some originality, and plenty of energy. The two singers jump around, interact with the crowd (physically and vocally) and generally have fun the whole night. The same goes for the rest of the band. They are talented, energetic and interesting, something you don't really get from their recordings; Every one of their songs sounds 10 times better live. A truly great performance that has left many of those in attendance wanting more. (9/10)
Frank Turner and support
Shepherds Bush Empire
Folky folky folk folk folk. Yes.
First act on tonight is Beans On Toast, basically a guy with a gruff voice singing (not particularly well) about being annoyed about things. At first he doesn't really appeal, but after a few minutes you see what he's saying. His songs are simple, and often amusing. His rapping accompanied by an accordion is welcome and helps to break up a set which otherwise would have gotten boring fairly quickly. (6/10)
Fake Problems start off similarly not really appealing, but they don't get better. Its pretty dull stuff really. But a few people seem to like them (not sure why), so they get some kudos at least. (5/10)
After this, the stage goes dark and a traditional English folk song comes over the PA. The band appear on stage, and start up with "Live Fast Die Old." Then to a huge roar appears Frank Turner, and the dancing commences.
Turner has a lot of energy tonight, especially for the last date on the tour. He sings passionately on every song, backed up by the 2,000 fans belting out his songs as if they were their own. New single "The Road", "Try This At Home" are early highlights, but the show just gets better. "Sons Of Liberty" conjures up images of Bill Bragg gigs, fists pumping in political harmony. But what Frank Turner does well are songs about his life and his mates, proved tonight by rousing renditions of "I Knew Prufrock Before He Was Famous", "Reasons Not To Be An Idiot" and "Long Live The Queen". "Photosynthesis" is a good choice to go out on (and thank god he did an encore, not leaving us with "Journey Of The Magi", the worst song of the set), and rounds off a fantastic and clearly emotional night for Frank. (9/10)
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