Source: Rhian Westbury
In his own words, Frank Carter has only been performing with The Rattlesnakes for two years at this point. Two years in, and this band are already selling out The Electric Ballroom in Camden, no small feat to be sure. But based off of this performance, even a 1,000-odd capacity is nowhere near how big this band deserve to be.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes were, simply put, sublime. Every moment of their set was played with integrity, heart, passion, love and respect. From the tidal wave of bodies that were flung around in ‘Juggernaut‘, to the incredibly moving slow, clean version of ‘A Beautiful Death‘ (which the crowd sat on the floor for) and the soul-cleansing sing-along to ‘I Hate You‘, there was not a person in the room who could have denied that what we saw was more than a performance or a show – it was an event.
Source: Rhian Westbury
Perhaps the best part of the whole thing though was Frank Carter’s attitude. The man has been harangued in the past for berating the crowd too much, and being too lairy. There was still some of this (obviously, it’s Frank Carter) but it was directed in the right places. Calling out fans having a fight and making them break it up; telling fans to shut up and respect a girl who stood for ‘A Beautiful Death‘ because there wasn’t room on the floor; informing male fans that if they inappropriately touched any female crowdsurfers he would personally come into the crowd and cut their heads off. Maybe it’s age, or maybe it’s the birth of his daughter, but Frank has now been built into the perfect mix of rock star, angry punk man and caring, respectful musician.
With album number 1 now firmly in the hearts and minds of a good few people, shows like this one under his belt, and a second album on the way, it feels like Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are bringing punk back to the people – and doing it with as much love and respect for the people who support them, as hate and contempt for the people who don’t show love or respect.
Good on you, Frank. We’re rooting for you.
