What: Boys Like Girls with support from Futures & Me Vs Hero
Where: 02 Shepherd Bush Empire
When: 26th April 2010
Reviewed by: Nicole Tiernan
Blackpool’s finest Me Vs Hero opens tonight’s show with an energetic Sam (the lead vocalist) taking the stage commanding the crowd to get involved and without the need to be told twice the crowd mirror Sam’s actions enthusiastically, as a few boys in the centre of the standing area try their hardest to start a mosh pit. Me Vs Hero’s set, consisting of lively pop-punk tracks such as ‘Cashing Cheques’ are performed well with each member taking the advantage of the stage space by regularly running from one side to another, further interacting with tonight’s crowd which is warmly welcomed as the crowd eagerly cheer and make their way forward in aid to high five Sam . With the crowd slowly filling with the late comers of tonight’s show, Me Vs Hero give it their best collaborating with the crowd as much as they can in-between songs instructing the capacity of the standing area to jump which even attracts some fans who are seated in the first level to stand. The band finishes with a fan favourite ‘Days That Shaped Our Lives’ and leave the stage leaving the fans eagerly waiting for the final support act of tonight.
As the lights dim once again the flash of fan’s cameras appear all over the standing as well as the seating area as front man Ant West walks onto the stage. Futures who originate from London themselves open tonight’s set with a new song ‘Oxygen’ which had only been previewed online a few days before though it still does not fail at getting the crowd instantly moving. Ant’s vocals tonight are well on point as he delivers each track excellently, hitting each note as well as robustly commanding the crowd to get involved in between each track especially for their album title track ‘Holiday’. As the guitar ringing fades into silence with only the crowd being heard, a pounding drum beat begins as Ant takes the mic explaining this would be their last song and needed everyone’s participation to the chorus of the song. Ant with guitarist Casey then bellow out the chorus ‘This is the boy who cried wolf’ encouraging the crowd to sing it back which the crowd mirror instantly. As the song ends Ant joins the crowd still strumming away at his guitar, making the crowd advance forward eager to touch him. Ant joins the stage once again as the song comes to an end with Casey and Christian parading the stage as Ant slams to the floor, all energetically performing the last few chords of the song. He stand again to give thanks as the rest of Futures leave the stage leaving the crowd buzzing, as the waiting once again begins for the last band and tonight’s headliners Boys Like Girls.
Though tonight’s show did not sell out you would not think it, as tonight’s crowd is as loud as if the venue was brimming to the 3rd level seating. As the roadie advances on to the stage flickering a torch towards the back of the venue it is obvious of what it about to happen next. The lights dim as the venue illuminates with the lights of fan’s cameras. Boys Like Girls take the stage as the familiar sound of ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ theme their entrance. The band tonight are dressed in darks and covered in what it seems to be some sort of war paint on their face. Martin Johnson the lead vocalist takes the mic to perform a sing-a-long to the Black Eyed Peas hit which then eventually leads into their recent hit ‘Love Drunk’ with the crowd echoing every line. With the standing area pushing forward in aid to get a better view of their idols as well as the level one seating on their feet shaking the balconies as a result of eager fans vigorously jumping in response to the next song ‘Five Minutes To Midnight’. The crowd simultaneously jump and clap along to each song giving it their best and screaming as loud as tonight’s crowd can get. Until tonight’s mood is changed as Boys Like Girls go onto ‘Two Is Better Than One’ a much slower song in comparison to tonight’s pace, the stage lights dim as Martin angelic vocals are clearly heard with the crowd’s screaming ceasing for a moment. The mirror ball above the bands head further adds to the mood, reflecting circle lights around the entire venue from the floor up making tonight’s show more like a high school prom than an actual rock show. Throughout there is no evidence of the crowd growing neither tired nor bored with tonight’s event even in the slower songs of the set. Flags of various nationalities are thrown towards guitarist Paul DiGiovanni who uses them to decorate the various amps behind him.
Boys Like Girls go on to play such fan favourites as ‘Contagious’, ‘Heels Over Head’ & ‘Heart Heart Break’ as well as tonight’s biggest sing-a-long to ‘Thunder’ where Martin’s full vocal potential is show with every high note being as stunning as the original record. The entire venue sways from side to side and bellows back every word as if this was an audition for a Boys Like Girls choir. The four piece band from Boston then leave the stage with the crowd buzzing for more.
As the anticipation for an encore grows the crowd cheer for one more song, and as commanded the band returns to play an encore of ‘Someone Like You’ which echoes the room with Martin falling to the floor to effortlessly finish this power ballad. Before playing their final song Martin takes the mic to praise the fans for their continuous dedication by adding justification for their band ‘We love you, you are the only reason we are here, the only reason we are alive’ in reaction to this line the crowd go wild screaming and applauding even making individuals raise to their feet in applause also. Bassist Bryan Donahue then throws his bottle out into the crowd but not to the standing area as the bottle flies up into level 1 seating soaking the fans , who react to this action by cheering in enjoyment. As the band go into the final song ‘The Great Escape’ a roadie walks onto stage insisting fans join the band on stage as he pulls a girl from the barrier in front of him, as soon as this is seen Martin then invites all of the crowd to join this fan. The whole standing area goes crazy at this invitation and bombard the stage with fans climbing over barriers and individuals crowd surfing in hopes to catch this once in a lifetime chance to join their idols on stage.
By the end of tonight’s show it is evidently that most of the standing area is on the stage then the actual pit. Leaving this to be one of the best Boys Like Girls London shows that will be hard to top
Listen to more from Boys Like Girls at Myspace
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