Taking Back Sunday, Manchester Academy
Let’s get a couple of things straight; The Academy 1 is a crap venue. Not only are the bars terribly situated, and you never quite feel comfortable looking at the stage, but it would seem to be a staff member you have to be a grade A moron. Whoever decided to make the guest list queue the same as the collection of tickets queue is a dick. The security guards were animals, speaking to kids like they were generals in the army. Erm, excuse me mate, you’re a security guard on minimum wage herding a bunch of teenagers about. If that’s how you get your kicks you’re a sad old man. Finally there’s the moronic bar staff. OK, ID-ing everyone is a half decent idea, but a policy of ID-ing those obviously over 18, and not those who are clearly 12 is strange. Then, after ID-ing myself (who at 24 doesn’t exactly look underage) and moaning when I don’t have picture idea, but a paper licence, is even sillier. “I’m too old for picture ID, I’m 24,” I protest. “You’re never too old for ID,” silly moo replies. “Yes, you are, 18,” I retort. Cue giggles from mates and a put-down idiot of a bar staff.
Anyway, bands. THE HURT PROCESS have Johnny Vegas on vocal duties (seemingly) and after recently signing to Victory are starting to do well for themselves. They sound a lot heavier live than on record but are out-shined by both the other bands tonight. It’s a case of what THP do they do well, but currently there are bands that do it better. Good to see a British band taking on the Yanks and competing though, so thumbs up. (7)
I’d never seen RECOVER before, and not heard much of their stuff, but they were really good. Energetic, heavy, melodic and really compelling, for a four-piece they hold the stage really well. I can’t list song names (because I don’t know them), but the last song and the penultimate one really stood out for me. Having a singer and a heavier singer/screamer for different songs also worked really well. I’ll be checking this lot out further for sure. (8)
I’d heard horror stories that Adam couldn’t sing for shit, but tonight TAKING BACK SUNDAY are bloody marvellous. With a fan friendly set that contained many of the band’s older, and best, songs, the crowd lap it up and sing along. For me the encore of ‘There’s No I In Team’ was amazing, but the whole set was really enjoyable. Adam’s mic swinging does become a tad over-used, but he’s such an energetic and compelling frontman, prowling the stage and really owning it. John Nolan isn’t missed vocally, while the two guitars sound positively huge. It’s taken them a long while to make it, but TBS have won a lot of people over. Tell all your friends, cos TBS are pretty damn good…(9)
Paul
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