So we're finally here, at my last gig review of 2014. What a great note to end on?! I was excited about this show for many reasons but let's jump right in with the first of those reasons...

The first support act on was Marmozets. They are just amazing! One of the best new bands I've come across in a long while, and so original! Needless to say, I was excited about the line up for the evening. As I walked in to hear them playing the end of their first song "Born Young And Free", I had to sprint to the front and get in on the action. They only had about 5 or 6 tracks to work with but by the end of their set the crowd was screaming "one more song!", and to be honest I could have done with 10 more! They absolutely slayed. I genuinely have no notes for them - perfect opening set. Every track hit hard and they left the whole crowd buzzing.

I had no idea that there were going to be two support acts so when Blitz Kids stepped on stage I can't say that I was excited or anything, I was just sort of thinking "oh, okay then!". The excitement stayed at bay throughout the entire set to be honest. Joe even said halfway through "Coming on after Marmozets makes us look like f-ing Boyzone"... yes, yes it did. Not that Blitz Kids were bad or anything, Marmozets were just better. It was a hard act to follow but they did well. There were a few times during songs where I wanted it to be more intense, it just felt a little bit posy. Speaking of posy, I was a little bit upset that Joe didn't bring his shiny mic along with him, I can't lie. Despite these minor issues, they performed well and had what seemed like most of the crowd on their bandwagon.

And finally, Taking Back Sunday. I don't think that I realised just how long these guys have been making music for. They were amazing! I really felt like I'd missed out on them because the only songs I really knew were "Number Five With A Bullet" and "Make Damn Sure" (and they were both incredible live) but still, every single song that they played, I wanted to know. I'll definitely have to do some background research and make up for lost years. This band really knows how to put on a show! The lead singer's laws of physics defying microphone twirling and the drummer's (also laws of physics defying) stick wielding were mesmerising, and Adam had some hilarious crowd banter. Not just a vocalist and professional microphone thrower but also a comedian! It's at shows like this when you can just see that the band has done this loads of times because they were so so comfortable on stage. It was refreshing actually. I loved their song "Liar (It Takes One To Know One)" - definite stand out for me. Closing with "Make Damn Sure" made my entire night! This was just the cherry on top of an awesome year of gigging.

Overall Rating - 8/10


Here are some pictures from the night...

Earlier this month (5/4/14), I went to go and see Canterbury at The Temple, Birmingham. I've had a sort of on-off relationship with their music since getting into them years ago. The only album of theirs that I've actually listened to in full happened to be their most recent one Dark Days and so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I came to this gig aside from what I'd heard in that...

First up supporting was Big Sixes, whom I'd actually never heard of prior to this. However, before they even came on stage I saw an acoustic guitar on stage, which I was slightly disappointed about but still intrigued. This was later explained when they came on stage and said that their drummer was unable to make it so they'd be doing an acoustic set. Unexpectedly, they absolutely smashed it! All three of the lads had beautiful, beautiful voices. The crowd's talking and chatter did grow annoyingly loud at times but the band calmly continued anyway - even though it was only a 15 minute set, it really made an impact. Will certainly be looking out for them.

Blitz Kids were next and the huge population of scene kids surged forward to the stage flicking their colourful long hair and chanting the lyrics back at the band. Shouting the lyrics along with them were a couple of unexpectedly older men in the crowd which was funny but really nice. The frontman probably couldn't have been any more pop punk if he tried but they actually played an impressive set. I didn't know any of their songs before coming but they even had me singing along at times - and I definitely have to mention how cool the lead's mic was (it lit up!). All in all it was a very good warm up for Canterbury to come out to. Cool band!

Last but not least - Canterbury. The opened with one of my favourites "Expensive Imitation" from the new record and the crowd completely transformed. Those who had kept themselves to themselves during the support acts were pushing people around in the pits, shouting the lyrics and just letting loose. They then followed up with what is probably my current favourite - "Keep It Moving". This had me leaping about in the crowd, losing my place at the barriers but I didn't even care - Canterbury were killing it! Mike had great crowd chemistry, lifting the mood every so often with his light-hearted banter and the band as a whole meshed well together. Halfway through the set Mike mentioned that this was one of the "hottest shows that they've ever played" and I can vouch for him - that tiny venue was roasting by the end of the night. Their setlist was perfect - playing other favourites of mine, "Satellite", "Think It Over" and "Saviour", before coming on for an electric encore. You could tell that the crowd was mostly young because even by the last song they still had just as much energy as they came in with.

Canterbury was much better than I expected them to be if I'm honest. Not sure if I would pay to see them again, but I definitely don't regret paying to see them here, they were great.

Overall Rating - 7/10


Here are some pictures from the night...