05 October 2015 (gig)
12 October 2015
Mallory Knox are simply no strangers to performing in Cardiff and only over a year ago, the Cambridge rockers were performing in Clwb Ifor Bach, half the size of tonight’s sold out venue. After an extensive overseas tour and festival run, the alternative rockers are back on familiar territory and celebrating with their Homecoming Tour.
Kicking off the show is The Xcerts who burst into ‘Live like This’, the opener from last year’s brilliant album ‘There Is Only You’. Every song is filled with catchy hooks and sing-along moments, ‘Pop Song’ and set closer ‘Shaking in the Water’ in particular. It’s pretty
obvious from the get-go why The Xcerts and their brit rock sound made them the perfect touring partners for Mallory Knox.
Next up are Set It Off, who get the warmest welcome so far from the already familiar crowd. They kick off proceedings with 'Forever Stuck in our Youth’ which shows off not only their ability to write a catchy song, but to tell a story through expressive lyrics. Although Set It Off aren’t as heavy as the other bands on the bill, the theatrical nature of songs such as 'Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ (to which the audience are encouraged to interact by lighting up their phones at a certain point in the song) really do make them stand out. Finishing on fan favourite 'Why Worry,’ which has everyone clapping, jumping and 'wooah'ing from start to finish.
As the lights go down and screams fill Cardiff’s YPlas, a curtain suspended from the lighting rig is hiding the band as Mallory Knox kick start their set with their chart topping single ‘Shout at the Moon’ erupting the room as the curtain is dropped.
Sing-a-longs became an integral part of the gig, as did jumping and consistent mosh pits. The distinctly young audience ate it all up and provided an electric atmosphere throughout the show. The setlist was arguably dominated by songs from the band’s second album Asymmetry. Anthem after anthem, from beginning to end it is a high adrenaline show. The likes of ‘Hello’ and ‘Beggars’ still remain the hottest hits in the quintet’s repertoire, though ‘Ghost in the Mirror’ leads fantastically with a raucous crowd.
Frontman Mikey Chapman is a force on stage and commands the crowd with ease; his cheeky charm makes it easy to win over new fans in the crowd. “Surprise”, he shouts as the band makes their way back on stage for an encore with ‘She Took Him to the Lake’ a colossal seven minute musical masterpiece. And off the back of that there is only one song which can conclude; ‘Lighthouse’. As the song builds to its climax, the crowd sings every word back at the stage. The Cambridge five-piece certainly know how to write a killer hook and with shows as tight as this, Mallory Knox are only destined for bigger things!
