Scouting For Girls

Catapulted with cataclysmic force into the British mainstream musical consciousness, the four piece indie pop phenomenon that is Scouting For Girls are the ones responsible for men and women of all ages claiming ‘Elvis aint dead’, ‘she’s so lovely’ and ‘every time we meet, I skip a heartbeat’. Love or loathe them, it’s undeniable that these London lads have an ear for an infectiously catchy melody. They have been setting stages alight all across the county on the Just for a Day tour, and their sold out Newcastle show at the Carling Academy on Thursday 6th November was to prove no different.
After two truly excellent support slots from Sam Beeton and The Days the scene was set and the audience feverishly anticipated the main event. After a Bond themed introduction video the band took to the stage and performed their latest single, the aptly named ‘I wish I was James Bond’. The crowd, which, may I note was largely made up of screaming fifteen year old girls, was eager for more and the quartet did not disappoint, it felt as if every song played was a ‘big’ song, owing largely to the sing- along friendly hooks and dance inducing rhythms. In reality, all the band had to do was stand on stage and play their instruments as the crowd would gladly finish any line that front man Roy Stride began to sing. The audience response was huge, they knew every word and Roy’s interaction with the crowd was greatly appreciated.
Roy and his fellow band members seemed to have a genuine appreciation for the support shown by the people of Newcastle; the entire show was performed with a smile on his face, and at times the singer appeared speechless, taken back by the energy and admiration being thrown at him by the crowd. The band continually thanked the fans insisting they were the stars of the show and even went as far as to write a heartfelt song dedicated to all their followers. It would be hard to leave a Scouting For Girls gig without a smile on your face and some lyric or other in your head, so what if all their songs sound the same? The fact is they know how to entertain, and they do it well.

Review by Matt Blackwell