The Joy Formidable play tonight as part of the NME Radar tour. After the performance they gave, they’ve plonked themselves well and truly on the map.
After an interesting set (in the broadest sense of the word) by support act the Flats, followed by Chapel Club, the crowd rapturously applaud the Joy Formidable on stage. The North Wales three piece outfit suit their name – they are a joy to watch and will be a formidable presence in the music industry. Songs such ‘Greyhounds in the Slips’ and the amusingly titled ‘My Beerdrunk Soul is Sadder Than a Hundred Dead Christmas Trees’ sound fantastic live, the drummer Matt Thomas in particular giving the performance of his life. Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd make an endearing pair on vocals, making good interaction with the crowd and declaring their love of Newcastle. T
here really is little to fault about their performance, and new single ‘I Don’t Want To See You Like This’ is an instant crowd pleaser. Their climatic final song is played with such ferocity, such commitment and passion, it is almost mesmerising to watch. Ritzy Bryan swoons round the stage, waving her guitar around, turning knobs and dials scattered across the stage, all of which keeps the mood of the music unpredictable, engrossing and original. Once their new album, ‘The Big Roar’, is released, the only way is up for these Welsh rockers. The reassuring thing is, they thoroughly deserve it.
Michael Worthington
Showing posts with label O2 Academy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label O2 Academy. Show all posts
Monday, 1 November 2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
Architects, 02 Academy 2, Monday 4th October
The last couple of years have seen the prominence and the fan base of Architects soar. Their blazing performance at the 02 Academy 2 is an indication why.
The event was bursting at high energy levels well before Architects graced the stage – a sold out crowd proceeded to mosh relentlessly throughout the three support acts, culminating in a ferocious fight between two fans during the Norma Jean set. The two troublemakers were subsequently dragged out of the venue. However it was Architect’s who packed the biggest punch tonight. Once on stage, the Architects got straight down to business.
Songs such as ‘In Arrogance’ and their latest single ‘Day In Day Out’ ooze with flavour and impressive vocals from frontman Sam Carter. Songs ‘Early Grave’ and ‘Numbers Count For Nothing’ are both utterly stunning – the frenzied response from the crowd a clear reflection of this. The Brighton born frontman commanded the audience to "get drunk and have some fun" - the mass of moshing fans willingly obliged.
Architects produce a sound that is both uncompromising and ferocious, and it is evident that every band member puts 110% into their performance. The Architects send out a clear message from their explosive set. They are on top of their game, and the only way is up. Although their style of music is not suited to everyone’s taste, they have clear potential to be heavy-weights in their own genre.
Michael Worthington
The event was bursting at high energy levels well before Architects graced the stage – a sold out crowd proceeded to mosh relentlessly throughout the three support acts, culminating in a ferocious fight between two fans during the Norma Jean set. The two troublemakers were subsequently dragged out of the venue. However it was Architect’s who packed the biggest punch tonight. Once on stage, the Architects got straight down to business.
Songs such as ‘In Arrogance’ and their latest single ‘Day In Day Out’ ooze with flavour and impressive vocals from frontman Sam Carter. Songs ‘Early Grave’ and ‘Numbers Count For Nothing’ are both utterly stunning – the frenzied response from the crowd a clear reflection of this. The Brighton born frontman commanded the audience to "get drunk and have some fun" - the mass of moshing fans willingly obliged.
Architects produce a sound that is both uncompromising and ferocious, and it is evident that every band member puts 110% into their performance. The Architects send out a clear message from their explosive set. They are on top of their game, and the only way is up. Although their style of music is not suited to everyone’s taste, they have clear potential to be heavy-weights in their own genre.
Michael Worthington
Sunday, 31 January 2010
The Answer @ O2 Academy
Reviewed by Chris Render
As a big fan of Irish rockers The Answer, I jumped at the chance to see them live last Saturday at the 02 Academy, on the fourth night of their first headlining tour. After all, Everyday Demons, the band’s second album, is a strong contender for my album of the year. So any opportunity to see the band play one of Newcastle’s best venues was one I had no intentions of missing.
Much to my disappointment, I missed the support acts due to an interview with the band, but I am assured that both Toxic Federation and General Fiasco played brilliantly, and perfectly set the tone for what was to follow. So, with eager anticipation, I waited for The Answer.
The crowd went wild as the band reached the stage, and not without good reason. The Answer were phenomenal. Clearly a band comprised of dynamic and talented performers, the raw energy and stage presence exuded by the band, in particular vocalist Cormac Neeson, was indescribable. It was clear to anybody watching that The Answer displayed an amazing chemistry, four top quality musicians working in perfect synchronisation, and obviously having a great time doing it.
The set was astonishing, a mix of material from the new album and older fan favourites from the band’s debut, Rise. Fast paced crowd pleasers like Demon Eyes and Under the Sky were combined with more considered and thoughtful anthems like Why’d You Change Your Mind and Comfort Zone, but the band never lost its energy or dynamism. The Answer are a band that are at their finest live, and their finest is something well worth seeing.
The Answer have been described as keeping the classic rock genre alive, and from what I’ve seen, they don’t need much help. I can confidently say that this is the single best gig I’ve seen at the Academy in my long years of rock fandom.
5/5
As a big fan of Irish rockers The Answer, I jumped at the chance to see them live last Saturday at the 02 Academy, on the fourth night of their first headlining tour. After all, Everyday Demons, the band’s second album, is a strong contender for my album of the year. So any opportunity to see the band play one of Newcastle’s best venues was one I had no intentions of missing.
Much to my disappointment, I missed the support acts due to an interview with the band, but I am assured that both Toxic Federation and General Fiasco played brilliantly, and perfectly set the tone for what was to follow. So, with eager anticipation, I waited for The Answer.
The crowd went wild as the band reached the stage, and not without good reason. The Answer were phenomenal. Clearly a band comprised of dynamic and talented performers, the raw energy and stage presence exuded by the band, in particular vocalist Cormac Neeson, was indescribable. It was clear to anybody watching that The Answer displayed an amazing chemistry, four top quality musicians working in perfect synchronisation, and obviously having a great time doing it.
The set was astonishing, a mix of material from the new album and older fan favourites from the band’s debut, Rise. Fast paced crowd pleasers like Demon Eyes and Under the Sky were combined with more considered and thoughtful anthems like Why’d You Change Your Mind and Comfort Zone, but the band never lost its energy or dynamism. The Answer are a band that are at their finest live, and their finest is something well worth seeing.
The Answer have been described as keeping the classic rock genre alive, and from what I’ve seen, they don’t need much help. I can confidently say that this is the single best gig I’ve seen at the Academy in my long years of rock fandom.
5/5
Remedy, Slaves to Gravity and The Butterfly Effect @ O2 Academy
Three bands in one night, and only one I’d heard much from in advance. And they were up first. Newcastle based heavy metal four-piece Remedy were, in my opinion, the highlight of the night. Dynamic, entertaining and clearly enjoying themselves, these talented musicians provided a great start to the night, and vocals of Jenn Cherene provided a refreshing female element to a genre more commonly male dominated. If you like heavy metal, Remedy are definitely a band to keep an eye on.
They were followed by Slaves to Gravity, a band I’d heard less from, but was still eager to see. And not without reason. This hard rock band from London were entertaining and skilled, displaying extensive musical talent. The thirty minute set, comprised mainly of songs from the upcoming album UNDERWATEROUTERSPACE (scheduled for release in March of this year, and something I’d advise you check out), was a catchy, cool exhibition of the band’s ability. It wasn’t difficult to understand why they were named Kerrang!’s “Best British Newcomer” in 2008.
Ironically enough, the low point of the night (although by a fairly narrow margin) came from the headline act, Australian art rock group The Butterfly Effect. Although the band played more than competently, they seemed to lack the presence of the other two groups, and their music struck me as somewhat generic. However, that is not to say that The Butterfly Effect lacked any particular talent, far from it in fact. They simply couldn’t live up to the bands that had opened for them. However, on the whole, this proved to be a great night.
They were followed by Slaves to Gravity, a band I’d heard less from, but was still eager to see. And not without reason. This hard rock band from London were entertaining and skilled, displaying extensive musical talent. The thirty minute set, comprised mainly of songs from the upcoming album UNDERWATEROUTERSPACE (scheduled for release in March of this year, and something I’d advise you check out), was a catchy, cool exhibition of the band’s ability. It wasn’t difficult to understand why they were named Kerrang!’s “Best British Newcomer” in 2008.
Ironically enough, the low point of the night (although by a fairly narrow margin) came from the headline act, Australian art rock group The Butterfly Effect. Although the band played more than competently, they seemed to lack the presence of the other two groups, and their music struck me as somewhat generic. However, that is not to say that The Butterfly Effect lacked any particular talent, far from it in fact. They simply couldn’t live up to the bands that had opened for them. However, on the whole, this proved to be a great night.
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