13 March 2011 (gig)
19 March 2011
Young Guns singer Gustav Wood can’t believe he’s playing Brixton Academy where he’s seen many a hero. More amazing is that his band are bottom of the bill tonight. Ok, so the Bucks five-piece aren't even a year into first album All Our Kings Are Dead, but they’ve earned their headline stripes already.
With a blinding debut under their belts and impossibly gorgeous Wood on the mic, Young Guns made a big impression in 2010. They're clearly a group whose name will grace this venue’s marquee before too long, but for now they rev up the crowd skilfully. Mighty songs, stunning vocals and relentless energy make for a fortifying, short set.
But the night is young – wild shrieks when the next band's backdrop is revealed prove this point. After announcing an indefinite hiatus three years ago, US quintet Yellowcard, pictured, are returning to a raucous welcome. While they don’t emulate the musical brawn of Young Guns, their togetherness is of equal measure. And they bring plenty of their Californian sunshine to the stage, if only in the form of cheery fiddler Sean Mackin.
Everyone’s in good spirits for the final date of this sold-out tour – tonight being an extra London show – and frontman Ryan Key asks the crowd to outshine their Brixton predecessors. He also apologises for his band's absence and is resolute if not enthusiatic about making amends. From the reaction to old hits like Way Away and songs from new album When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes – latest single For You, And Your Denial is a shining example of their melodic, violin-laced appeal – all is clearly forgiven.
Less contrite are headliners All Time Low for whom the crowd's screams are even louder. Like Yellowcard, the Baltimore four-piece are another pop-punk outfit on the comeback trail. In pre-tour promo, vocalist Alex Gaskarth suggested fans remove their underwear in readiness for these much-anticipated gigs and the idea was taken seriously judging by the myriad bras flying to the stage.
As if they needed any more encouragement; All Time Low are well up for last-night high jinx. Despite declaring forthcoming album Dirty Work as a move away from their party-hard, musical roots, the band play on their former reputation discussing fetishes and sexual antics in between songs – it’s mostly back catalogue on the setlist anyway. It'll be interesting to see how their lively fans take to the new tracks next time if, in fact, this lot really have grown up.
