Elbow – Wembley Arena, November 27 2012

Guy Garvey and co. casually salute fans at “Wembles”.

In recent years Elbow have had to learn to think big, so big that a weeknight gig at Wembley Arena is about as low-key as it gets. The band are relaxed on this second date of their one week arena tour seamlessly blending the immense and epic with the intimate and informal.

Guy Garvey pounds along to rousing opener ‘High Ideals’ on an upright piano that looks like it’s been brought in from a Northern pub. He hails “Wembley” before charging down the walkway to greet fans thronging the front row, then switches to the more affectionate “Wembles”, addressing the masses like a drinking buddy for the rest of the night. ‘Grace Under Fire’ is a huge karaoke sing along with the chorus lyrics displayed on the big screen. Drummer Richard Jupp rounds it off with a rock n roll flourish and is caught looking sheepish on camera.

Crowd participation is a regular feature of Elbow’s performances. At festivals Garvey initiated Mexican waves and sing-alongs like a pensive wizard testing the extent of his powers. At Wembley he confidently conducts the amassed choir of fans in a variety of renditions of the ‘whoa…’ refrain from ‘Grounds for Divorce.’

These are the band’s final shows before they take a one year hiatus. They claim to have six songs for the next album and one is performed tonight. ‘Charge’ is a built around a moody organ riff and angsty lyrics; “Glory be these fuckers are ignoring me” Garvey proclaims in the song’s slow climax. It has all the hallmarks of an Elbow song and is performed assuredly as though it were already a classic.

In a more intimate moment the band assemble round a couple of keyboards for ‘The Night Will Always Win’, after which Garvey remains, repeating the opening line of ‘Weather To Fly’, encouraging individual fans and the audience as a whole to sing it back.

As the main set draws to a close Garvey thanks everyone for their warmth unaware that many upstairs are shivering beneath the air-con on a cold November night. The temperature rises as they return, performing ‘Starlings’ and ‘One Day Like This’. As the band put their instruments down, the chorus “throw those curtains wide / one day like this a year’d see me right!” reverberates around the arena making you feel that if there had been a Mercury Music Prize for the decade The Seldom Seen Kid would have won it; the band celebrating with a pint and a sing-song down the local pub.

Elbow leave the venue and will soon go their separate ways. Garvey, now used to thinking big, is off to New York to write for a musical adaptation of King Kong. When they return, ‘Wembles’ and other arenas full of fans will be ready to welcome them back with open arms.

Patrick Widdess

Matt Corby, Scala, London, November 21 2012

For those who aren’t aware of Matt Corby, he is a 22 year old Australian singer/song writer and musician who rose to fame when he was a runner up on Australian Idol all the way back in 2007 when he was just 16. But don’t let that put you off, as Matt is a truly talented song writer and performer who has definitely put his own stamp on music today. Matt has been compared to the likes of Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake which certainly isn’t a bad thing, right?

Matt performed at London’s Scala on Wednesday 21st November to a sold out crowd. After support acts Lucy Mason and Bear’s Den warmed up the eager crowd, the main act walked onto a stage of darkness equipped with his guitar. The crowd went berserk, with men even shouting “I love you Matt!” The lights shone on Matt as he quietly opened his set with beautiful acoustic number ‘Big Eyes’. As soon as Matt softly sang the first line, you could hear a pin drop in the room. The crowd were absolutely silent as they watched Matt in amazement.

Joined on stage with his brilliant band, Matt performed his most famous track ‘Brother’ which got the loudest cheers from the audience. This was the anthem of the evening as the whole of Scala sang every lyric with Matt and they embraced every moment of the song.

The track ‘Runaway’ was probably Matt’s most emotional and stunning performance. Matt performed this acoustically, which made it sound even more special. You could hear and feel Matt’s emotion and passion as he sang the lyrics “She don’t give a shit about you”, speaking of a previous relationship.

Matt occasionally spoke to the crowd in a quiet but charming manner. He told the audience a story about a relationship that hadn’t worked out. He explained that he had received a letter from his ex-girlfriend which listed all the things that he had done wrong in their relationship. This led into the track ‘Untitled’ – another gorgeous performance.

After the bluesy number ‘Souls A’fire’ where you hear Matt’s amazing falsetto range, him and his band finished on upbeat track ‘My False’ which certainly got the crowd moving.

Matt Corby definitely knows how to captivate an audience. His stage presence is mesmerising as he sings each song with such power and beauty. He left every member of the audience completely stunned and amazed.
By Henrietta Mensah

Road to Warped Tour, Cardiff Uni – November 9 2012

The world’s premier punk event The Vans Warped Tour is back in Britain for the first time since 1998, and tonight it is Cardiff’s turn to host the punk rock roadshow.

Traditionally a travelling summer festival, the UK version of Warped showcases the cream of the crop of punk talent old and new.

The considerable queue outside confirms that the name behind this tour has an enduring resonance. Older, more grizzled veterans mingle with young, spritely punk fans: their jeans as androgynous as their haircuts, their excitement irresistibly infectious.

The Story So Far get things underway. Their energetic pop-punk, all choppy guitars and passionate vocals, riles up an already-swelling crowd – no mean feat considering it’s not yet 7pm.

Vocalist Parker Cannon has a strength to his voice that adds intensity to their songs, ensuring they’re just as hard-hitting live as on 2011 debut Under Soil and Dirt.

The band have a considerable buzz about them right now, and it is not hard to see why when songs like Roam and Quicksand hit home with such considerable impact.

The venue is full by the time Man Overboard arrive onstage. Their brand of earnest, lightweight pop-punk might lack the punch of The Story So Far, but none of the energy.

The back-and-forth dual-vocal delivery inspires some spirited sing-alongs, particularly the shimmering, Jimmy Eat World-influenced Montrose and set closer Love Your Friends, Die Laughing.

The whole room screams refrain “shut up, shut up, it’s my turn to talk,” leaving big smiles on the faces of band and crowd alike.

Warped stalwarts New Found Glory are playing their 2002 classic Sticks and Stones in its entirety, and the fervent response that opener Understatement receives suggests that this is the set the crowd are here for.

Signature anthem My Friends Over You is met rapturously, and the crowd does not let up until the last note of The Story So Far has rung out.

An encore of select cuts from their back catalogue causes such a ruckus that is difficult to see the band through the sea of bodies cascading constantly from the stage.

The band cover almost as much ground as the audience, their performance honed to perfection over the years.

The younger bands on the Warped bill would do well to take note.

Veterans Less Than Jake are last to take the stage, launching straight into fan favourite Gainesville Rock City.

They lace their straightforward punk style with lashings of ska, a trumpet and trombone mixing seamlessly with the guitars.

The rhythms elicited by the band would be perfect for dancing were the audience not so crammed together that any sort of movement is rendered almost impossible.

A set blessed with gems from the bands’ 20 year back catalogue somehow finds time for an onstage dance-off between two of the crowd’s fatter members.

The winner is determined by whose armpits smell the worst, and as frontman Chris Demakes puts his nose to each one, it is almost possible to smell the sweat.

There is also time for a circle pit around the mixing desk, the band retaliating for a steward’s refusal to crowd surf. It becomes a joyous melee, hundreds of people beaming as they race around.

They end with two huge sing-alongs, History of a Boring Town and Plastic Cup Politics ringing every last drop of energy from a crowd who have been as entertained by the bands’ shenanigans as their songs.

By this point, the floor is absolutely littered with plastic beer bottles. The fact that this is a Friday night is not wasted on this crowd.

As Less Than Jake exit they invite everyone to join them at the venue’s Taf bar. From the delighted response they receive, it is clear that the Warped tour party does not end when the music stops.

James Tremain

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