GIG REVIEW : 3OH!3

- Manchester Academy 1 - 7th November 2009 -

Support : Bamboo Shoots, Sean Smith (DJ Set).

 First to open are Bamboo Shoots, and a playlist of enthusiastic-but-generic retro, dance-funk. With the highlight of their set being a cover of The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘I Got A Feeling’ and the joker-esque purple skinny jeans and green t-shirt ensemble the lead singer sports, they fail to impress with a vibe that is more dull and forgettable than the chilled-out indie-chic they were obviously aiming for.
 If the first band was disappointing then the second; a DJ set from The Blackout’s front man, Sean Smith, surpasses every expectation you could possibly have for a support act. Heavy, energetic , rock remixes of ‘Sweet Dreams’, ‘Living On A Prayer’ and ‘Smooth Criminal’, are sliced with recent tunes from the likes of Lady GaGa, Dizzee Rascal and Katy Perry to create the perfect musical appetiser for this evening’s main course.
 Continuing with the night’s rave theme, 3OH!3 explode on to the stage in a whirlwind of catchy choruses, strobe lighting and deliciously crunky, electro-hip-hop beats. Only 5 years in the making, and with 3 Warped Tours and stints supporting musical giants Basshunter and Katy Perry under their belts, the two MCs have paid their dues and are now famous in their own right; the success from their double-platinum-certified single ‘Don’t Trust Me’ translating to the last stop on their UK tour as they are bumped from Club Academy to Academy 1.
 In the same vain as Gym Class Heroes and The Flobots, these dance messiahs have managed to transcend the rock/hip-hop divide, delivering grade-A hip-hop music to rock and emo-core fans everywhere. All clapping-jumping-dancing, 3OH!3’s repertoire is as varied as the company they keep, putting their university education to good use with intelligent lyrics and humorous themes set to an infectious back beat. They may be bringing hip-hop to a new level but they can still write frat-boy songs about girls.
 A rapid string of their best songs is followed by the debut of a new one, (heavy on the pop-punk influences), and a new twist on the circle pit : the dance pit. Conducting from the stage the dynamic pair quite literally bounce off each other as they bound around, dancing and rapping, working the room into a rave-frenzy befitting any nightclub.

Verdict : Rock, hip-hop, dance, electro and just about anything else you can think of combines with the duo’s undeniable stage-presence and chemistry to create an un-missable, unforgettable and completely irreplaceable experience. Not bad for a band with only two albums.

10/10

By Beth Cook



 3OH!3's latest album, 'Want', released 8th July 2008 on Photo Finish, is available from online stores : http://3oh3.hasawebstore.com/product/INS67223/wantdeluxeedition
 Tour dates and ticket information :  http://www.3oh3music.com/tour-dates/

GIG REVIEW : Fightstar

- Manchester Academy 1 - 27th October 2009 -

Support : Saving Aimee, Young Guns.

 Fightstar have worked hard to shed front man Charlie Simpson’s pop roots, but the Busted stigma has left a visible mark. Battling years of scepticism the London four-some have all but refused point-blank to let the critics win, instead, emerging, against the odds, as one of Britain’s best young rock bands. But unlike many expected, they have not relied on former fame to aid their career. If anything, Fightstar rebel against their commercial affiliation, working hard to ensure that the only thing they have in common with a certain ex-boyband is a large fan base and strong back-catalogue.
 An unusual mix of grunge, soft-metal and rock, previous releases ‘Grand Unification Part 1’, ‘We Apologise For Nothing’, ‘Paint Your Target’ and ‘Deathcar’, accompany tracks from latest album, 'Be Human’, and a preview of upcoming December single, ‘A City On Fire’ to make for a strong set. The guys are on form tonight, clearly enjoying the effect their subtle combination of delicate-but-dramatic metal has on the crowd. Roaming the stage, overseeing circle pits and engaging in more than their fair share of head-banging; Charlie, Alex, Dan and Omar give the impression of a group of lads who really love what they do, putting the crowd at ease and making the academy their own.
 Topping it off with an encore of ‘Palahuniuk’s Laughter’, it feels more like an impromptu, private jam session than a big gig.

Verdict : The excitement in the room is palpable but despite a great playlist and impeccable delivery, tonight felt a little flat. A relaxed performance adds a lack-lustre taste to the evening, proving that even rock stars shouldn’t rest on their laurels, (even if those laurels do happen to be cracking songs and impressive guitar skills).

7/10

By Beth Cook



Fightstar's latest album 'Be Human', released 19th April 2009, on Search and Destroy, is available from online stores : http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=952365
Tour dates and ticket information : http://www.fightstarmusic.com/tour/index.php