otherwise pandemonium: Kerrang Tour 2007

Current mood:

giddy

It's 3am, and I can't sleep. Still buzzing from what was an amazing night!

Yesterday evening, I made the trek to Belfast with Ethan and Ewen to see the Kerrang 2007 Tour. After a reasonable short wait in the cold, we were in!

No sooner had we entered the venue, than the night's first act began: I Am Ghost. Good opening act, but got very little response from the crowd (it seems Ethan was one of about four people who knew lyrics to any of the songs)

Highlight: A rather embarrassing moment being the singer asking the crowd how they were doing, to no response. Ouch.

Next up, we had The Audition. To be honest, i didn't really listen to them. Though 2 observations: the singer is a giant, and the guitarist with the 'fro echoed Screech of Saved by the Bell.

Highlight: The singer stage diving, onto what was possibly a bunch of 13 year old girls, and going straight to the ground.

Now, the moment I had been eagerly awaiting all night. The mother f*****g Bronx!

Opening with Small Stone, the mood was set right away. After only the first song, Matt was already down, leaning into the crowd. Seconds later, he was crowd surfing, screaming every word perfectly.

After returning to the stage, and spouting the usual "we're glad to be here/always wanted to come to [insert place name here]" that every band repeats night after night at every show, you can't help but believe he means every word.

Immediately after, Matt has jumped over the railings, and is singing away, whilst being pushed and pulled in every direction by the crowd. He announces that The Bronx is not just the band, but the crowd is part of it. "We're normal guys just like you". Matt is the most down to earth front man I have yet to see perform. It feels like watching a good mate.

Back on stage, and lurching about like a crazed gorilla, the energy coming from this band is intense. It's evident from the reaction they receive from the crowd (whom I am pretty certain hadn't heard too much about them before tonight: most people seem to be there for Biffy Clyro) that The Bronx are going to last. With all due respect to I Am Ghost and The Audition, they're music is very flash in the pan. The Bronx display that rock will never die.

For History's Stranglers, Matt is back down in front of the crowd. During the last chorus we are forehead to forehead, screaming the words at each other.

They close with a "song they don't play very often" Around the Horn. I let out a loud shout. It's my favourite track of the new album. As they leave Ethan catches Jorma's drumstick, and a nab the setlist.

After the madness, we head to the merch stand and pick up a couple of t-shirts, then upstairs for a drink. We are all grinning like Chesire Cats from the "audio and visual overload" we have just witnessed.

Heading back downstairs to catch some of the Biffy set, we meet Matt, and get some photos taken.

It's now 4.16am, and i am past tired. Tonight was the best gig I have attended in all my years of gigging. I hope to catch The Bronx again on their support tour with Rise Against this May, and will definitely catch them next time they headline.

The Bronx - Around the Horn