Under the bridge and across the canal in Camden shits Dingwalls the host of tonights show. First up are Big Sixes but sadly due to a long queue and very slow entry we only caught have of their set. Although we were glad they were even still on stage at all! Having seen them at Union Chapel acoustically before it was a wonderful surprise to find that their full band set up didn’t differ much. The same raw emotional feel came from the bands set in the sweaty underbelly of Camden as it did in a church.
Credit: Skye PortmanBlitz Kids didn’t seem to have much luck today, some gear of theirs was stolen including a laptop containing their backing tracks but despite this the band still come onstage and perform a three song acoustic set. They aren’t a band to back down or admit defeat. The feeling of the tracks especially ‘Sometimes’ feel completely different in these conditions but in a nice way. It’s time to fully appreciate Joey’s vocals without strain: despite the fact that the crowd overpowered Joey on many occasions.
Credit: Skye PortmanAt a little after 9.15 with the venue reached max Canterbury bound onstage. Due to no barriers the crowd became a sweaty swarming mess: so we decided to observe from the safety of the bar. With three albums of crowd favourites now picking tonights set list must have been hard. The acoustics in the venue are phenomenal with every note and beat blasting to the back of the venue and bouncing back.
Tonight’s set is a celebration of new album ‘Dark Days’ with opener ‘Expensive Imitation’ and HTF favourite ‘By The Trail’ which shows that even a slow song can engage the crowd into a frenzy. ‘Going Nowhere’ ends the main set allowing the encore to be a celebration of all things pre ‘Dark Days’.
Credit: Skye PortmanIt will truly never get old hearing the resounding screams of ‘Na Na Na Na Oh Woah Oh Oh’ as the band finish their set on the ever predictable ‘Friends? We’re More Like a Gang’. The crowd invade the stage as the song begins to close up and it’s great to see how comfortable the band seem amongst their fans.
Review by: Rhian Westbury
Photos by: Skye Portman
