After years of asking, waiting, and wishing, pop-punk legends New Found Glory have finally brought their Pop Punk’s Not Dead tour to the UK and they’ve brought along Only Rivals and Candy Hearts. The Forum is packed, and everyone is in anticipation for the bands that prove just how alive and well pop-punk truly is!
Only Rivals, a 4-piece Alternative rock band, hailing from Dublin, Ireland, had the job of opening up the show. Straight into it the band are loud, they’re almost deafening, in a good way. The band are enthusiastic, and although the vocals of lead singer Stephen Arkins are hard to hear over the instruments, his presence on stage is very lively. The band have a darker, more edgy vibe than the rest of the pop-punk line up, and they do seem slightly out of place on the tour, but nonetheless, they still provide a calmer vibe among the crowd, preparing everyone for the sweat-fest they’re in for.
Source: Promo Image/ FacebookNext up is New York/Jersey punk rockers Candy Hearts. The band who are playing in the UK for the first time, excitedly take the stage, and their child-like energy is contagious. The girl fronted pop-punk band have a very 90s feel to them, very Letters to Cleo-esque. The energy of lead singer Mariel Loveland is matched by fill in guitarist Sulene van der Walt. Their hair swinging, jumping enthusiasm reminds us that we need more females in the pop-punk scene. Their set includes catchy songs like ‘Matchbox Car’, that has the crowd clapping along, ‘Bad Idea’, and ‘All the Ways you Let Me Down’. The colourful lights and their fun, peppy presence on stage makes their set the ultimate 90s punk party set to music. They’re the kind of band you’d hear performing in the club from 10 Things I Hate About You (Club Skunk), and the crowd love it.
