Rancid @ Carlin Academy

From the moment the lights go out, Carling Academy Newcastle is filled with excitement. Rancid always know how to entertain a crowd and tonight is no different. Opening song 'Radio', a noted fan-favourite, really sets the tone for the evening; whether the songs are fast or slow the band are completely captivating.
Tim Armstrong is fully connected with the audience, often sitting at the front of the stage on the monitors to sing to the front row, even shaking hands from the stage with this lucky fan. Lars Frederksen is the onstage voice of the band, thanking the crowd regularly and introducing each of the 30 songs performed that evening. His guitar playing is flawless, stage presence strong and his vocal lines are sung completely from the heart. Matt Freeman is undoubtedly one of the greatest bass players in punk rock. His extended solo in Maxwell Murder has to be seen to be believed and throughout the whole show his solid basslines lay a great foundation for the band to play over. The newest addition to Rancid, Branden Steineckert fits in perfectly to what must be his dream come true (Rancid were his favourite band before he was given the opportunity to join). He never drops a beat and even appears on stage sporting a Newcastle United football shirt.
At a Rancid gig, there is no such thing as a filler track. Whilst the majority of the material comes from 1995's '...And Out Come The Wolves', the setlist features tracks ranging from the most recent 'B-Sides and C-Sides' collection all the way back to 'Knowledge', the punk rock classic penned by Tim and Matt's old band Operation Ivy. Every track is a classic, though the personal highlight of the gig is the ska-tinged 'Who Would've Thought' from 1998's Life Won't Wait album, a great song that's really enhanced in the live environment.
This show is punk rock at its finest performed by some of the greatest talents in the genre. The band leave the stage with promises of a new record and another tour next year, so it leaves little so say except bring on 2009!

Review and photos by Mike Sherlock

Marllion at Newcastle University Students' Union 10/11/2008

Initially, Newcastle University Students' Union seems like an odd choice of venue for this Aylesbury Progressive rock band. The majority of the band's fans in attendance tonight are not students; instead the crowd is made up primarily of middle-aged adults.
When you take a glance at the stage, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer amount of equipment Marillion have set up. The stage has been completely taken over with gear, leaving limited room for them to move around. As the lights go down, the band take to stage in turn, consequently receiving their own round of applause, but also leading to the inevitably predictable entrance of the lead singer after the rest of the band. Steve Hogarth finally bounds onto the stage, barefoot and dressed in a flamboyant Indian gown. The 5-piece launch straight into new song, 'Nothing Fills the Hole', to a widely positive reception. This was the first of many tracks played tonight from the band's new 'Happiness Is The Road' album. Another new track, 'Essence', demonstrates influence from modern bands such as Radiohead, whilst maintaining the Marillion trademark sound of epic, layered soundscapes.
Throughout the show, Hogarth really performs for the crowd, often seeming transfixed with the lyrics he is singing. At one point he plays a strange MIDI controller, constructed from a hollowed out cricket bat; another strange, in-joke for fans of the band. The penultimate song of the main set sees the band launch into a lengthy instrumental passage, leaving time for Hogarth to leave the stage and change, ready for his costumed entrance for the song 'The Invisible Man'; a good ending to the main set. However, even after the encore, there is still a feeling of disappointment at the lack of older, 'Fish-era' material in the set. Especially the lack of favourite 'Sugar Mice', which fans were calling out for throughout the gig.

Review by Michael Sherlock