Funeral For A Friend: Live, 18th October, ABC, Glasgow! Gig Review!
Funeral For Friend: Live, 18th October, ABC Glasgow.
Perceptions are always rife when a band takes the stage in such Music infatuated City like Glasgow. An acclaimed musical platform, respected by artists and critics alike. Glasgow opened its arms, zoned in on a band that’s live credentials hold them afloat. Funeral for Friend certainly lit up a venue, modest in size but goliath in atmosphere. The ABC became alive; a shock sprayed through it as a Welsh contingent blasted out tunes fit enough for a more colossal crowd and venue.
As I stepped beyond the entrance, a sea of Fans were already jumping around in Music’s hypnotic strain, as Canadian outfit Cancer Bats offered a platter of appetisers. A punkish, screamo band worthy enough to open for the main event. Blasting out tracks to wet the taste buds of a crowd swaying in delight and bliss. Certainly a great motive from a band not wanting to make up the numbers, but highlight their true desire of being respected and noticed by a Glasgow crowd lapping up all the wholesome goodness of screamo rock.
Cancer Bats set was premature, donning a stage, blurting out songs with promise and professionalism. Certainly a musical outfit destined to hit the top tier, and prominently stay there. Attack Attack was the next support act to venture onto a stage already plunged in sweat and musical aftermath. A punk outfit originating from England’s major hotspot, the Londoners paced themselves, and eased themselves into a gig already on full throttle. Like their predecessors, attack showed quality above support act status, they could have certainly holded their own as the main attraction. Punk/Rock nostalgia oozed from every angle, a band on the right track to super stardom.
Attack Attack raced through their set, entertaining a sweat, intoxicated human sway. Saying goodbye to a strewn crowd already under the influence of Music’s potent grasp, finally main attractions were ready to come out of the shadows. A blood curdling scream circled around a venue torn to shreds and quite rightly used to its full measure and potential, Funeral For A Friend paced themselves, slowly easing themselves onto a stage craving their touch. Matt Davies voice seeped through a microphone destined for a brutal workout. ‘Hello Glasgow’ in a loud, angst, ridden tone, Funeral were ready to blow a crowd away with a fresh new array of tracks, aswell some old tunes to add a retro feel.
Funeral commenced in a fit of rage with ‘Constant Illuminations’ taken from their new catalogue, only recently released a week before. A track bursting with Funeral Flair, a chorus fit enough for an intro. Well executed first offering from the Welch Rock darlings, Funeral were on a roll. The band then performed single ‘Kicking and Screaming’ a track hitting the heights, vocally immaculate with a Radio friendly feel, Matt Davies passion swirled, not bruising his reputation of being an acclaimed talent. His vocal range and suitability plays diligence, Funeral would falter without him. Lyrically Funeral have matured, not resting on easy street, and Memory and Humanity is a gradual step forward. Advanced in musical lookout, fuelled with passion and unity, Funeral know how to write songs that touch a tender nerve.
Classics blared including the fast-paced, bashful offering ‘Streetcar’ the crowd were instructed lift two fingers, a natural occurrence at Funeral shows. Funeral could blast out classics and still make them sound defined, and appealing. ‘History’ came next, its sombre, emotional feel gave the crowd rest bite, taking them away from a non-stop rattling pace. ‘Roses of the Dead’s’ underlying emotional content pulled at the heartstrings, but still had enough rock flavour to keep the cravings fully nullified. The conclusion was ready to take place, but Funeral had one last track to contribute to a crowd star struck from such an immaculate, well executed set. You don’t expect less from a band who has toured with the Rolling Stones, winning numerous awards, as well as earning major credibility. ‘You Can’t See the Forest for the Wolves’ subtlety was a soothing, commanding end to such an amazing musical spotlight. Funeral earned new respect, new fans, aswell as overcoming the pressure that sceptics and critics put them under. An absolute musical triumph, roll on stadium rock.
By Mark McConville, From ABC, Glasgow.
Perceptions are always rife when a band takes the stage in such Music infatuated City like Glasgow. An acclaimed musical platform, respected by artists and critics alike. Glasgow opened its arms, zoned in on a band that’s live credentials hold them afloat. Funeral for Friend certainly lit up a venue, modest in size but goliath in atmosphere. The ABC became alive; a shock sprayed through it as a Welsh contingent blasted out tunes fit enough for a more colossal crowd and venue.
As I stepped beyond the entrance, a sea of Fans were already jumping around in Music’s hypnotic strain, as Canadian outfit Cancer Bats offered a platter of appetisers. A punkish, screamo band worthy enough to open for the main event. Blasting out tracks to wet the taste buds of a crowd swaying in delight and bliss. Certainly a great motive from a band not wanting to make up the numbers, but highlight their true desire of being respected and noticed by a Glasgow crowd lapping up all the wholesome goodness of screamo rock.
Cancer Bats set was premature, donning a stage, blurting out songs with promise and professionalism. Certainly a musical outfit destined to hit the top tier, and prominently stay there. Attack Attack was the next support act to venture onto a stage already plunged in sweat and musical aftermath. A punk outfit originating from England’s major hotspot, the Londoners paced themselves, and eased themselves into a gig already on full throttle. Like their predecessors, attack showed quality above support act status, they could have certainly holded their own as the main attraction. Punk/Rock nostalgia oozed from every angle, a band on the right track to super stardom.
Attack Attack raced through their set, entertaining a sweat, intoxicated human sway. Saying goodbye to a strewn crowd already under the influence of Music’s potent grasp, finally main attractions were ready to come out of the shadows. A blood curdling scream circled around a venue torn to shreds and quite rightly used to its full measure and potential, Funeral For A Friend paced themselves, slowly easing themselves onto a stage craving their touch. Matt Davies voice seeped through a microphone destined for a brutal workout. ‘Hello Glasgow’ in a loud, angst, ridden tone, Funeral were ready to blow a crowd away with a fresh new array of tracks, aswell some old tunes to add a retro feel.
Funeral commenced in a fit of rage with ‘Constant Illuminations’ taken from their new catalogue, only recently released a week before. A track bursting with Funeral Flair, a chorus fit enough for an intro. Well executed first offering from the Welch Rock darlings, Funeral were on a roll. The band then performed single ‘Kicking and Screaming’ a track hitting the heights, vocally immaculate with a Radio friendly feel, Matt Davies passion swirled, not bruising his reputation of being an acclaimed talent. His vocal range and suitability plays diligence, Funeral would falter without him. Lyrically Funeral have matured, not resting on easy street, and Memory and Humanity is a gradual step forward. Advanced in musical lookout, fuelled with passion and unity, Funeral know how to write songs that touch a tender nerve.
Classics blared including the fast-paced, bashful offering ‘Streetcar’ the crowd were instructed lift two fingers, a natural occurrence at Funeral shows. Funeral could blast out classics and still make them sound defined, and appealing. ‘History’ came next, its sombre, emotional feel gave the crowd rest bite, taking them away from a non-stop rattling pace. ‘Roses of the Dead’s’ underlying emotional content pulled at the heartstrings, but still had enough rock flavour to keep the cravings fully nullified. The conclusion was ready to take place, but Funeral had one last track to contribute to a crowd star struck from such an immaculate, well executed set. You don’t expect less from a band who has toured with the Rolling Stones, winning numerous awards, as well as earning major credibility. ‘You Can’t See the Forest for the Wolves’ subtlety was a soothing, commanding end to such an amazing musical spotlight. Funeral earned new respect, new fans, aswell as overcoming the pressure that sceptics and critics put them under. An absolute musical triumph, roll on stadium rock.
By Mark McConville, From ABC, Glasgow.
