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January 22, 2007
Academy, Newcastle
Fan review added.
Semi-Mental
Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys
Joy.Discovery.Invention
Saturday Superhouse
My Recovery Injection
Get Fucked Stud
Hero Management
57
Wave Upon Wave Upon Wave
Now I'm Everyone
Kids From Kibble and The Fist Of Light
Justboy
Bodies In Flight
---
Glitter and Trauma
A thank you to the lovely Miranda for this excellent review;
This will be Biffy's first visit to Newcastle for just under 3 years now. While all has been quiet on the Biffy touring front for just over a year it makes you wonder if the Newcastle population has forgotten just how good Biffy are live - the crowd at the Academy is smaller than it should have been for such a ferocious live act.
With the upstairs seating area closed and an army of young kids downstairs who seem to be here for the support acts only, curiosity builds as to who exactly (except for me and my friends) are actually here for Biffy. My question is soon answered midway through the set of the flamboyant (yet rather dull) I Am Ghost, when the cheers for Biffy threaten to drown out the band. At one point the singer even threatens the crowd when the shouting continues through two songs. It's small entertainment in an otherwise boringly polished performance from the up-and-coming "emo" band.
After the band has skulked off the stage, tails firmly between legs, the next band enters. The crowd react more positively to this band, it would seem that a rather large portion of them are in fact here to see The Audition, who, whilst are able to get the crowd going, seem rather contrived, but not lacking in energy. It's the same formula that's been tried and tested, and while it works, you can't help but think it's something you've seen so many times it's all rather boring now.
So two bands in and whilst the fans of both aforementioned bands are happy, those amongst us that didn't come here to see Kerrangs! new favourites, are rather happy to see The Bronx step out onto the stage. We knew they were going to put in a hell of a performance but when the lead singer throws himself into the crowd (with a twisted knee no less) we know we're in for a treat. Cue a mass pit with blood, tears and lots of sweat. Brilliant, for all the right reasons. What the other bands lacked, The Bronx made up for.
The crowd is buzzing, the only people that are left are those that want, and can't wait to see Biffy, and the odd person that wants to see what the fuss is about. All this makes for an electric atmosphere. "Biffy" is chanted over and over and as the band takes to the stage you can't help but feeling proud. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as the opening chord of "Semi-Mental" rings out through a know silent, and utterly exhilarated crowd. As the main riff begins the crowd goes crazy. It's an awesome spectacle. The day’s break that the band has had has obviously helped as they launch into Toys for which the audience thoroughly appreciate, Simon hardly has to sing during Joy.Discovery.Invention, and through his hair you can see a faint smile. The highlights of a rather impressive set list include Hero Management, Wave Upon Wave Upon Wave and The Kids From Kibble and The Fist of Light. The new songs (Saturday Superhouse, Get Fucked Stud and Now I'm Everyone) get a rapturous crowd response, the majority of people singing along with all they've got. They cap off a magical performance with Glitter and Trauma for which the crowd uses the remaining energy they have to truly salute it. Biffy have started the year off tremendously, they have marked 2007 as their year, and they are going to be huge. I know it, you know it, the media knows it... ‘mon the Biffy.
Thanks Sascha, for these photos.. nice lights!
Posted by Chris at January 22, 2007 10:13 PM
Comments
awesome gig... i got a really good pic with the bronx vocalist when he came into the pit.
ill post it soon.
can't believe we didn't get Jaggy! :(
Posted by: Chris. at January 26, 2007 03:14 PM
Yeah, disappointed we didn't get Jaggy, but seen it before so not that upset.
Can't wait until they come back :)
Posted by: Miranda at January 30, 2007 04:34 PM
First time seeing biffy and i can honestly say my life is now complete!!! I was on the barrier directly infront of Simon Neil constantly with one arm in the air singing along to every word. I also got a few smiles and nods of Simon too which i am very proud of. 2007!!! The Year the world is woken up to Biffy Clyro, Heres Hoping!! MON THE BIFFY
Posted by: Simmo at February 6, 2007 07:50 PM
amazing, drove from edinburgh to newcastle and then from newcastle to St. Andrews to watch this, was blown away, always am, nothing better than a pit full of people who love biffy as much as you do!!!
Posted by: Hugh at April 26, 2007 06:48 PM