Gig review: THE BLACKOUT – King Tut’s, Glasgow, 5 November 2014

November 9th, 2014 by david.wilson

I last saw The Blackout in action at this venue back at the start of the year. Since then the band have been through a lot of trials and tribulations ending with the band splitting from their record company and almost calling it a day. Thankfully the guys stuck together and through a Pledge campaign they have been able to release a new EP entitled ‘Wolves’. This tour is primarily to promote the EP and to see if the faithful are still committed to the now self-sufficient band.

Judging by the sizable crowd in King Tut’s the support is most definitely still there which is good to see. Opening tonight’s proceedings were fellow Welsh noise merchants When We Were Wolves who put in a strong set. With a heavier, more hardcore edge the guys are less accessible than The Blackout but there is enough melody in the mix to hook the crowd in. Frontman Mitch Bock commanded the stage, bellowing out the lyrics like his life depended on it.

The set was culled from the band’s two EP releases the latest being ‘Heartless’, which received a great review on this very site. The band proved to be tight and as good live as they are on CD and by the end of their short set I am sure they had gained a few more fans in Glasgow.

One band with no shortage of Glaswegian support are Yashin who have been very quiet of late. Again the band have been undergoing some internal turmoil but according to singer Harry Radford they are now back and firing on all cylinders with big things planned for 2015.

The set was made up of old favourites with the faithful singing along to every word. ‘D.E.A.D’ started things off in fast and furious style with Radford and fellow vocalist, Kevin Miles, working the crowd like pros, both took every opportunity to get up close and personal with the front row.

Half way through the set Radford decided to leave the stage and he made his way to the rear of the hall to sing from the mixing desk which went down well. Musically the band were much better than I remembered, I had seen them live once before and that night they didn’t really impress, but tonight’s performance was much more enjoyable. The set finished with fan favourite ‘Runaway Train’ which topped an impressive set. It looks as though Yashin are once again a band with a big future.

The Blackout may be a cottage industry of sorts at the moment but the music is still polished and the playing of the highest order. Opening with ‘Wolves’, the title track from the new EP, it looked as though the guys were out to prove a point. ‘

I’m A Riot? You’re A F*cking Riot!’ followed with Sean Smith and Gavin Butler screaming out the lyrics whilst bouncing around the stage like kangaroos on speed. The five tracks on the ‘Wolves’ EP are a return to the harder edged sound from the band’s first two albums and live they were stunning, especially the song ‘Pieces’ which contains some excellent guitar work from Jim Davies.

The only thing more lively than Smith and Butler on stage was their between song chat which never fails to amuse. It is the music though which brings a smile to your face, with classics like ‘Children Of The Night’ and ‘Start The Party’ pushing things to fever pitch. Finishing off with the trio of ‘Higher And Higher’,’ ShutTheF*ckUppercut’ and the anthem ‘Save Our Selves (The Warning)’, The Blackout once again proved that live they are one of the most entertaining bands on the circuit.

We can only hope that the band can survive their problems and come out stronger on the other side, on tonight’s showing it certainly won’t be through a lack of effort on their part.

Review and photos by David Wilson

Yashin Set List – D.E.A.D/ The Renegades/ New Year Or New York/ Make It Out Alive/ Angel’s Son/ Stand Up/ Dorothy Gale/ Runaway Train

The Blackout set list - Wolves/ I’m A Riot? You’re a Fucking Riot!/ This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things/ Children Of The Night/ Prepare For A Wound/ The Storm/ Ambition Is Critical/ Pieces/ Hope (Scream It Out Loud)/ Said & Done/ Start The Party/ Higher & Higher/ Shut The Fuck Uppercut/ Save Our Selves ( The Warning)

The Blackout EP Review
When We Were Wolves EP Review

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

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