08 July 2015 (gig)
16 July 2015
Two out of three is not a bad ratio, and the bad isn’t really. Twin Wild are just very mediocre, but their bland Nautilus machine honed pop rock is incredibly popular so probably best just to leave it at that.
First on are Black Foxxes with an exceptional set of controlled power and poise. The trio have an incredible dynamic on stage and while there are comparisons with contemporaries Thrice, very early Rush fleetingly came to mind too. Having said that they are doing their own thing and they are very much the here, now and the future.
And so on come Nothing But Thieves to a tumultuous welcome and packed room more than justifies the concert moving to The Dome from the Boston Music room due to demand. They are sublime from opener, Itch, to closer, Ban All Music; almost the perfect set. The rhythm section laying down a complex but accessible platform for the two guitars to skate along over and interplay. And then we are with singer Conor Mason who has a voice that just has to be heard. Matt Bellamy is foremost in the mind (as are Muse to be honest) but there are snatches of Plant there too. To top it off the bugger is also a natural frontman.
Recorded NBT can sound pristine and over-polished that however is all pleasingly scratched up tonight. The likes of Last Orders just sound more natural with some grit under the nails. Slower numbers Last Orders and beautiful Graveyard Whistling don’t sound so cloying, while Wake Up Call is just raw. The one misstep was covering Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song which just didn’t work though they can be forgiven that minor indiscretion, as overall this performance was a triumph on all other levels.
Photograph courtesy of Peter Neill
