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The Impericon Never Say Die! Tour is regarded as not only one of the highlight yearly tours of the latter part of the year, but also providing opportunities for bands that wouldn’t usually have the funds to visit UK shores. The sold out show in London’s Koko showcased the earned right of the tour in great style.
Opening band Burning Down Alaska kicked of the evening’s proceedings and floor warming duty in the best way possible. Thanks to the tour it’s the first time the German quintet have performed in the UK. Their debut album Values on Virtues is only 8 months young, from what the band have accomplished in that space of time; not to mention the new wave of fans created from the superb opening band performance, the band can be very proud to say they deserve it. Vocalist Tobias Rische provided great crowd interaction from the get go on opening song Trophies. A cheeky “sit down then jump the fuck up” routine was attempted and ambitious for an opening band but the crowd responded well.
Being as an Ocean gave the most memorable performance of the entire evening. The band have been racking up the accolades since their newest self titled album arrived in July and were awarded best underground band at the APMA’s (ironically presented to them by headlining band Amity Affliction) From opener ‘Little Richie’; frontman Joel Quartuccio lept straight into the arms of the packed out crowd and had to stop to take a breather mid set due to being purely overwhelmed by the euphoric response of the London faithful. Unfortunately due to having such a high number of bands on the night, setlists did have to be quickly turned around, it was clear after performing only 6 songs; the crowd were disappointed and wanted more. And should’ve deserved more.
Defeater & headliner The Amity Affliction gave respectable, but not memorable sets that reflected the bands great talents. Defeater touring of their 4th studio album Abandoned have the experience playing to many a sold out show and easily familiar with the UK/European tour scene from their many visits so the set should’ve been an easy stroll for them. However the Boston crew had many a chance to get the crowd riled up in full voice but just didn’t take it, only on the last part of the performance for ‘Dear Father’ was there any fiery passion that have made Defeater a force to be reckoned with.
Amity started off their headline set in grand style with ‘Open Letter’ into ‘Lost and Fading’; the night seemed well going ahead as expected, the packed crowd jostling for a place at the front were feeding right into the palm of Joel Birch’s hand, when the Aussie’s were set to get into their stride and close of the last part of the set, the energy took an unfortunate step back and didn’t fully recover. Encore tracks ‘Pittsburgh’ and ‘Don’t Lean on Me’ ended the night on good terms but not what a fan of the band could’ve had and should’ve got.
The Never Say Die! Tour remains on top for giving underground bands their first big tour break and do it better than any other tour on the yearly circuit. The night’s crown however belonged to Being as an Ocean; expect great things from them sooner than later.
Reviewer: Nicholas Scott-Dickeson
Photos: Romina Andrea
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