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
Showing posts with label Chris Render. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Render. Show all posts
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Codeine Velvet Club @ the O2 Academy
Reviewed by Chris Render
I was never a huge fan of The Fratellis, so initially I approached Jon Lawler’s new project Codeine Velvet Club with some apprehension. However, after listening to their eponymous debut album, I realised my doubts had been misplaced, and was therefore rather excited at the chance to see them live. And they did not disappoint.
Lawler is a performer in every sense of the word, displaying notable musical talent and wielding considerable stage presence. Of course, it would be unfair not to mention Lawler’s collaborator Lou Hickey, whose dynamism and stage presence rivalled Lawler’s. Supported by a group of exceptionally talented musicians, these two went on to give a performance well worth seeing. Specific highlights of the night included Little Sister, single release track Vanity Kills and a phenomenal cover of The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter.
All in all, Codeine Velvet Club delivered one of the most triumphantly entertaining shows I’ve ever seen. Their unique sound, coupled with the on stage dynamism of the lead performers, made for a great concert.
I was never a huge fan of The Fratellis, so initially I approached Jon Lawler’s new project Codeine Velvet Club with some apprehension. However, after listening to their eponymous debut album, I realised my doubts had been misplaced, and was therefore rather excited at the chance to see them live. And they did not disappoint.
Lawler is a performer in every sense of the word, displaying notable musical talent and wielding considerable stage presence. Of course, it would be unfair not to mention Lawler’s collaborator Lou Hickey, whose dynamism and stage presence rivalled Lawler’s. Supported by a group of exceptionally talented musicians, these two went on to give a performance well worth seeing. Specific highlights of the night included Little Sister, single release track Vanity Kills and a phenomenal cover of The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter.
All in all, Codeine Velvet Club delivered one of the most triumphantly entertaining shows I’ve ever seen. Their unique sound, coupled with the on stage dynamism of the lead performers, made for a great concert.
Asobi Seksu @ the O2 Academy
Reviewed by Chris Render
Asobi Seksu provided me with a musical experience that I don’t expect to forget any time soon. The eclectic New York dream-pop extravaganza was unlike anything I had ever seen, a fantastic window into the shoegazing genre.
The dynamic performance of the band, most notably lead vocalist Yuki Chikudate, only acted to further improve the experience, adding to the talented and innovative music of the band. As an introduction to a genre I had very little experience with, they were more than sufficient. As a musical experience, they were sublime. Asobi Seksu were, essentially, indescribable, other than to say they were brilliant.
If you’re a fan of shoegaze, you can’t go wrong with Asobi Seksu. If you aren’t, check them out. I expect you soon will be. After all, it’s not often a support act manages to upstage performers like White Lies, but Asobi Seksu were by a substantial margin the best band I saw that night.
Asobi Seksu provided me with a musical experience that I don’t expect to forget any time soon. The eclectic New York dream-pop extravaganza was unlike anything I had ever seen, a fantastic window into the shoegazing genre.
The dynamic performance of the band, most notably lead vocalist Yuki Chikudate, only acted to further improve the experience, adding to the talented and innovative music of the band. As an introduction to a genre I had very little experience with, they were more than sufficient. As a musical experience, they were sublime. Asobi Seksu were, essentially, indescribable, other than to say they were brilliant.
If you’re a fan of shoegaze, you can’t go wrong with Asobi Seksu. If you aren’t, check them out. I expect you soon will be. After all, it’s not often a support act manages to upstage performers like White Lies, but Asobi Seksu were by a substantial margin the best band I saw that night.
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.
Breed 77 @ the O2 Academy
Reviewed by Chris Render
I arrived at the O2 Academy a little late for this gig, and so much to my regret, I missed the first support, so you’ll have to make your own judgements on Symphony Cult. The second support, however, a band called Our Malevolent Tyranny, were more than sufficient, the perfect opener for Breed 77.
Now this wasn’t the first time I’d seen the Gibraltarian metal group in action, so I had some idea of what I was in for, but that did nothing to detract from the performance. Experienced and accomplished musicians all, Breed 77’s unique blend of flamenco and heavy metal must be heard to be believed. And it is definitely worth hearing.
And seeing, for that matter. Paul Isola is a fantastic performer and a talented musician, charismatic and dynamic. Of course, the same can be said for the rest of the band, evidenced by a memorable drum solo by the band’s newest member, Mexican Oscar Preciado Zamora.
Throughout an expansive set covering older material and plenty of tracks from the new album Insects, Breed 77 provided an extremely entertaining night, and I eagerly await their return to the city.
I arrived at the O2 Academy a little late for this gig, and so much to my regret, I missed the first support, so you’ll have to make your own judgements on Symphony Cult. The second support, however, a band called Our Malevolent Tyranny, were more than sufficient, the perfect opener for Breed 77.
Now this wasn’t the first time I’d seen the Gibraltarian metal group in action, so I had some idea of what I was in for, but that did nothing to detract from the performance. Experienced and accomplished musicians all, Breed 77’s unique blend of flamenco and heavy metal must be heard to be believed. And it is definitely worth hearing.
And seeing, for that matter. Paul Isola is a fantastic performer and a talented musician, charismatic and dynamic. Of course, the same can be said for the rest of the band, evidenced by a memorable drum solo by the band’s newest member, Mexican Oscar Preciado Zamora.
Throughout an expansive set covering older material and plenty of tracks from the new album Insects, Breed 77 provided an extremely entertaining night, and I eagerly await their return to the city.
A Place To Bury Strangers @ The Other Rooms
Reviewed by Chris Render
I hadn’t really heard much from this band before the night, but heralded as “the loudest band in New York”, A Place to Bury Strangers were always going to be something special. However, I had no idea quite what I was in for as the NY trio took to the stage in Digital’s Other Rooms on the 13th of November this year. They were phenomenal.
The set, although relatively short, was one of the most impassioned I have ever seen, a factor emphasised by the nature of the venue. A Place To Bury Strangers were perfectly suited to The Other Rooms, the bands characteristic intensity magnified by the intimate venue, leading to one of the most dynamic performances I’ve ever seen. The image of guitarist and singer Oliver Ackermann violently de-stringing a guitar mid-song will stay with me to the grave
The charismatic Ackermann is one hell of a performer, not just in terms of his notable musical talent, but also in terms of his commanding stage presence. He was one of the most dynamic stage performers I’ve ever seen, constantly in motion, injecting each song with intense passion. Adding to the band’s already formidable presence were drummer Jay Space and bassist Jono MOFO, one of the most talented rhythm sections I’ve ever encountered.
On the whole, the set was concise, brutal and amazing. Not a moment was wasted, the entire performance being imbued with the band’s trademark intensity and passion. I was left breathless and desperate for more. A Place To Bury Strangers were, in many ways, the musical equivalent of a rollercoaster: fast, intense, brutal and thrilling. One of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
I hadn’t really heard much from this band before the night, but heralded as “the loudest band in New York”, A Place to Bury Strangers were always going to be something special. However, I had no idea quite what I was in for as the NY trio took to the stage in Digital’s Other Rooms on the 13th of November this year. They were phenomenal.
The set, although relatively short, was one of the most impassioned I have ever seen, a factor emphasised by the nature of the venue. A Place To Bury Strangers were perfectly suited to The Other Rooms, the bands characteristic intensity magnified by the intimate venue, leading to one of the most dynamic performances I’ve ever seen. The image of guitarist and singer Oliver Ackermann violently de-stringing a guitar mid-song will stay with me to the grave
The charismatic Ackermann is one hell of a performer, not just in terms of his notable musical talent, but also in terms of his commanding stage presence. He was one of the most dynamic stage performers I’ve ever seen, constantly in motion, injecting each song with intense passion. Adding to the band’s already formidable presence were drummer Jay Space and bassist Jono MOFO, one of the most talented rhythm sections I’ve ever encountered.
On the whole, the set was concise, brutal and amazing. Not a moment was wasted, the entire performance being imbued with the band’s trademark intensity and passion. I was left breathless and desperate for more. A Place To Bury Strangers were, in many ways, the musical equivalent of a rollercoaster: fast, intense, brutal and thrilling. One of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
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