Date: Monday 10 December, 2007, 9.30pmVenue: Academy 2
Face value: £18.50 + booking fee
Support Act: The Outline
Gig buddy: Phil, Dan and Claire
On the gig calendar this year, this concert was going to be one of the highlights for me. It's been 3 years since I saw them rock the Hammersmith Apollo and I'm feeling rather homesick (soon to be remedied). Meeting our new-found gig buddies at Kro Bar (opposite the Academy) I'm disappointed to find that the strawberry beer has run out. Mild disaster, though I'm consoled with a vodka based replacement. Phil's feeling awful because he's picked up a nasty cold that he can't shake. Plus, I have that nervous anticipation you get when you introduce friends to a band you like and are really hoping that they 'get it'. Regardless, we enter the Academy and after some frustrating negotiation with the 'will-call' window to pick up extra tickets, we procure some drinks at the bar and catch some of the support act, The Outline. To be honest, I wasn't really listening to them, so I can't really offer a review - though they clearly weren't offensive or my memory would serve me better.
The Academy 2 is packed, and it seems that the fans are really tall people. At least where I was standing, til I worked my way down the side closer to the front. Plenty of Australian accents in the crowd, but the overtly friendly vibe of the London shows I have seen before is absent tonight. Don't get me wrong, it's not rowdy enough to feel unsafe, but it appears that the 'bogans' who have entered the UK have migrated north. The first few songs come from the new album which it appears not everyone has bought a copy of (nevermind - it's available for a tenner at the merchandise stand). I'm surprised that the main single from the album (Lost and Running) is performed early in the show, and slightly disappointed it isn't rocked out as much as it could be. The rest of the show follows with Bernard and company performing the best of the back catalogue (there's plenty to choose from) and a sprinkling of new tunes, all interspersed with crowd appreciation, comments on the fall of our Prime Minister (this is apparently very popular) and a reasonable light show - though the strobish effect on Bernard's face was a little much for the eyes.
After the main set, the boys very endearingly suggested that instead of faffing around with an encore, per correct gig protocol where we cheer and clap for 5 minutes to entice them back onto the stage, that they simply turn the lights down, we clap a little bit and they get on with it. Nice. This new approach goes down well and we are treated to a couple of more tracks before it's all over.
Overall, it's probably my nostalgia for Australia that makes up a large part of my love for this band, because despite being Australia second most successful rock band (after Silverchair) the show wasn't the best I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, they are a very accomplished band and the sound was great, but they are no Foo Fighters.
Rating: 3 proud Australian guitars.
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