Since releasing their debut EP Transitions late
last year, bands have been falling over themselves
to tour with tonight’s openers All Forgotten.
Infusing the pop-punk readiness of You Me At Six
and the slightly more hardcore edge of new kids
on the block Deaf Havana, it’s easy to see
why AF are so well received by tonight’s
audience. Songs from the aforementioned EP go
down a storm, yet it’s their new songs that
really excite; All Forgotten are definitely a
very interesting prospect for 2011.
Hailing from Scotland (via America), Yashin are
a much talked about band set to take the screamo
world by storm, and after tonight’s performance
their reputation remains intact. Incredible musicianship
and onstage acrobatics seem to be the two main
components of their set. The only thing that lets
Yashin down tonight is the slightly embarrassing,
ADHD-like antics of dual front men Harry Radford
and Kevin Miles. Maybe this is part of the package,
and it certainly doesn’t detract from the
music, but love them or hate them, expect to hear
a lot more from Yashin in the near future.
Jonny Craig is somewhat of a cult hero. Having
fronted bands such as Dance Gavin Dance, Isles
& Glaciers and now Emarosa, he is adored by
many. Tonight sees Emarosa play to a packed out
Club Academy, fans of all associated acts have
come together to create an elite, hardcore contingent
of ‘in-the-know’ people.
Opening with ‘The Past Should Stay Dead’
was a predictable start, but pleasing nonetheless
and immediately the crowd is whipped into shape.
Following this, Emarosa storm through an incredible
set showcasing tracks from both albums Relativity
and the self-titled, Emarosa. A particular favourite
being ‘A Toast To The Future Kids!’
which features on the latter release. If you thought
it sounded good on CD, trust me, it sounds sublime
in a live setting.
With so many bands to juggle between them, one
thing that is surprising is just how tight Emarosa
are as a live act. Tonight their set is faultless,
a sentiment that can be backed up by the hundreds
of people that gathered to see them. Craig’s
voice is incomprehensibly good, and as is the
nature of these things, the rest of the band could
quite easily become merely a backing band. Thankfully
this is not the case with Emarosa, each member
is worthy of praise after tonight’s show;
truly amazing.
All Forgotten – 4/5
Yashin – 3/5
Emarosa – 5/5
Review By Ben Connell
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