By Kevin Donnellan
A far from full Academy. A band who have seemingly got all the plaudits out of the way on the first album. Play well and it’s ‘aren’t music fans very fickle?‘ Play badly and it’s ‘well they haven’t delivered on their early promise.‘ The script seemed partially written. Instead we got this; the most enjoyable gig of the year so far.
And it was a group effort. The View played like we were hanging from the rafters. The group of lads at the front of the stage acted like they were on Hill 16 after Dublin scored a goal. The rest of us enjoyed the spectacle, some even joining in with the moshing and the plastic pint glass throwing.
If this sounds all a bit too hectic I know where you’re coming from. Generally I’m the guy standing towards the back, hands determinedly in pockets. But this was just so unexpected, so reckless. A band, and a crowd, raging against the dying of the light. Maybe the band’s new album, ‘Bread and Circuses’, will restart the buzz that enveloped them in 2006. But, if not, they will keep a loyal group of fans with more shows like this.
‘Wasted Little DJs’, ‘Superstar Tradesman’, ‘Same Jeans’, ’5 Rebeccas’. All played at frantic pace. All escalating into moshes. Although ‘Skag Trendy’ was probably the point where the Academy security realized they were in for a long night. Nothing from the recently released new album truely hit home with the crowd, but give it time.
Hopefully they’ll be a late addition to a festival line-up here. If they are then try to see them, it will be the most fun you have at a gig this year.
