REVIEW: THE BLACKOUT AT BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY (27/10/11)
This was the first time that I have seen The Blackout and I was amazed at the dedicated fan group that had trawled themselves into O2 Academy in Bristol.
The gig started at a low level riff cruising up louder as the Welsh group went on stage donning their leather jackets. I only mention the fact that they are Welsh as they did like to rip into the Bristolian’s in the crowd in a combination of taunting and comic accent imitations. The rock cranked up as Sean Smith and Gavin Butler started singing but I was somewhat disappointed at the sound levels as the true tracks began to emerge.
It seemed even when Sean was giving the crowd his trademark screams that it was only just audible. Having said that when he got the crowd going they could have sung the song for him, I mean really they were singing word for word the whole way through any which was how I gleamed some of the lyrics and harmonies. For a smallish gig the dedicated crowd really did make some noise and Sean’s hyping was something to be reckoned with as he always came back to crowd to give a little to them in almost every song.
During the gig I did find myself drawn to James ‘Bob’ Davies amazingly fluorescent green/yellow guitar. As the rock riffs washed over me I felt that the band was more for the dedicated cluster up front then those filling the rest of the room but still, it was an energetic performance to watch.
My opinion of The Blackout reflects other reviewers critiques which is that although they sit comfortably just below that of mainstream acts, of course not forgetting about their occasional bouts of greatness as they have released some great stuff, there is something that appears to hold them back from really making it. I hope that they will soon have the everyone singing along than just the portion of their faithful supporters, as the energy the boys put out on stage really is immense.
Words: Alex Topham
Photos: Laura Palmer
