REVIEW: BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB AT BRISTOL ACADEMY (10/12/10)
Bristol’s O2 Academy layers people on top of people, the stairs and balconies’ that wind above the main floor leave space for watching from different heights, this entirely reflects the layers of sound from an astonishingly small quantity of bodies in Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC). Only three people playing on stage and their creating a sound on this epic scale? Massive rock bands in arenas don’t feel this big. This tour was always going to be primarily based around their latest album ‘Beat the Devil’s Tattoo’ and the fans we’re not disappointed. Working through the album Robert Been (bassist, guitarist, pianist and vocals) held true to their roots of being mystical and psychedelic by remaining to play in a dark long hooded coat creating one hell of a awesome silhouette. Peter Hayes (guitarist and vocals) played his blues-esque indie guitar style as the album promised and continued to play ‘The Toll’ and ‘Sweet Feelings’ solo on stage midway through the set and Robert joined later in the song, although I was wondering if the audience truly cared for this as the noise of the talking almost drowned Peter out. Robert attempted to kick the band back into swing with ‘Long Way Down’, this however took several attempts as he openly struggled to get the lyrics in time with his piano, this was all held in jest though and quickly forgotten as the feel good factor of the song wound in and grew. History in the making was approaching for the band as this was their 999th gig and they certainly held back no history for us either by playing songs from previous albums that fitted in with the much different current album sound. BRMC got the crowd rocking out to ‘Whatever Happened to My Rock ‘n’ Roll’ (this song will never grow old) and ‘Weapon of Choice’. Four encore tracks later ended the gig with the much expected long noise-scapes from the guitars and developed into a surprising but phenomenal acapella, adding Leah’s vocals to mix created a offset that will be hard to beat. This gig wasn’t just a tour to support the latest album, this was a celebration of it.
Words: Nathan Haskell
Photo: Mr Matt via Flickr
