Support: Exit_International, Manhattan Coast
Venue: Full Moon, Cardiff
Date: 24/04/12
Tonight is the launch show for Straight Lines‘ highly anticipated new album, ‘Freaks Like Us’, and it’s absolutely packed. The turnout is pretty damn impressive for an incredibly rainy Tuesday night in Wales, but it just shows how many people are behind Straight Lines all the way.
Starting off proceedings tonight are Manhattan Coast, a local band from Bridgend. They have some catchy tunes and pave the way for the main support band, Exit_International, who are on top rowdy form tonight. They’re not an obvious choice to support the significantly mellower Straight Lines, but nevertheless, they go down a storm. The songs off their new record ‘Black Junk’ have a great response, especially ‘Chainsaw Song’, which is glorious.
Last but not least are the stars of the night: Straight Lines. Their set tonight is a triumphant one: the room is full of people who love them and know every word to their songs. They play a fantastic energy-filled set which combines old and new songs. Highlights are ‘Say It For Your Sake’, ‘All My Friends Have Joined the Army’, ‘Half Gone’ and new single ‘Commitments’. Straight Lines have some absolute belters, and tonight they prove this by playing a set full of hits. It’s a sold out show and essentially they’re preaching to the converted, but if they keep going like this, they’ll be playing a lot bigger venues soon.
Moral of the night: go and buy ‘Freaks Like Us’ if you haven’t already, because you’re in for a treat. These Welsh wonders might just go somewhere.
Reviewer: Lais MW
