Save rock and roll; that is the mission, the primary goal of this current UK tour, which kicks off tonight in the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. Does rock and roll really need saving though? Judging by the lengthy queue outside the venue (plus numerous side streets too) it seems rock and roll has a pretty healthy and committed following still…never the less, thousands of adoring fans are slowly being ushered indoors like cattle, full of excitement and ready to sing until their lungs give out.
The first support band tonight are a young Danish trio by the name of NEW POLITICS [6], who, with their blend of happy-go-lucky electronic infused pop rock, soon get this young crowd motivated into having a good time. Vocalist David Boyd putting on a very comfortable and confident display, engaging with the audience getting everyone to clap along with him, promoting several songs from their newest album, 2013’s “A Bad Girl In Harlem”. It’s enjoyable, even with a slightly muffled microphone sound but, you can overlook that seeing as everyone was having such a good time.
Next up we have THE PRETTY RECKLESS [6] who as special guests on this tour have a brand new album to promote themselves in the name of “Going To Hell”. Front woman Taylor Momsen and her band easily slotting the newer songs into their set list alongside classics of their first album like “Make Me Wanna Die”. Newer tracks such as the album’s title track and “Heaven Knows” being warmly received by the crowd, however with microphone issues pursuing, despite musically being fine, with plenty of attitude, the set seems to blend in together rather frequently and there’s little to differentiate a lot of the songs played tonight because of sound quality. They all seemed fairly similar, and the band weren't done justice tonight.
After all of that then, it’s come time for tonight’s headline band and the reason this arena is packed, Illinois icons and former emo heroes FALL OUT BOY [8] are here to do what they promised; to save rock and roll, and what a show they've put on to do it. Starting off with the massive single “Phoenix”, its hit after hit with this exuberant 4-piece, and the crowd are just lapping it up. Songs such as “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark…” and “Just One Yesterday” keeping the newer fans happy, and with a back catalogue of anthems including “Dance, Dance”, “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” and “I Don’t Care” ensuring they've covered everything, even their massive rendition of MICHAEL JACKSON’s “Beat It” makes sure this is one to remember. At one point mid set, Patrick Stump, Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman venture into the middle of the arena to play a mini acoustic set on a smaller, secondary stage to the joy of many, many fans that weren't lucky enough to be down at the front. At the end of it all, and to close the show, they play “Save Rock And Roll” itself, an epic number that originally features one Mr. ELTON JOHN. It’s a huge soft rock ballad, and made all the more poignant with a huge screen displaying past legends such as JOHNNY CASH, KURT COBAIN, JIMMY HENDRIX and more, it’s powerful imagery with a clear message; don’t let rock and roll die, and to be quite frank, on tonight’s performance, (take away Pete Wentz own microphone quality issues) it would be an insult to let that happen. Rock and roll may not need a lot of saving right now, but, it’s comforting to know that the support is out there and ready to be called upon.
The first support band tonight are a young Danish trio by the name of NEW POLITICS [6], who, with their blend of happy-go-lucky electronic infused pop rock, soon get this young crowd motivated into having a good time. Vocalist David Boyd putting on a very comfortable and confident display, engaging with the audience getting everyone to clap along with him, promoting several songs from their newest album, 2013’s “A Bad Girl In Harlem”. It’s enjoyable, even with a slightly muffled microphone sound but, you can overlook that seeing as everyone was having such a good time.
Next up we have THE PRETTY RECKLESS [6] who as special guests on this tour have a brand new album to promote themselves in the name of “Going To Hell”. Front woman Taylor Momsen and her band easily slotting the newer songs into their set list alongside classics of their first album like “Make Me Wanna Die”. Newer tracks such as the album’s title track and “Heaven Knows” being warmly received by the crowd, however with microphone issues pursuing, despite musically being fine, with plenty of attitude, the set seems to blend in together rather frequently and there’s little to differentiate a lot of the songs played tonight because of sound quality. They all seemed fairly similar, and the band weren't done justice tonight.
After all of that then, it’s come time for tonight’s headline band and the reason this arena is packed, Illinois icons and former emo heroes FALL OUT BOY [8] are here to do what they promised; to save rock and roll, and what a show they've put on to do it. Starting off with the massive single “Phoenix”, its hit after hit with this exuberant 4-piece, and the crowd are just lapping it up. Songs such as “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark…” and “Just One Yesterday” keeping the newer fans happy, and with a back catalogue of anthems including “Dance, Dance”, “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” and “I Don’t Care” ensuring they've covered everything, even their massive rendition of MICHAEL JACKSON’s “Beat It” makes sure this is one to remember. At one point mid set, Patrick Stump, Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman venture into the middle of the arena to play a mini acoustic set on a smaller, secondary stage to the joy of many, many fans that weren't lucky enough to be down at the front. At the end of it all, and to close the show, they play “Save Rock And Roll” itself, an epic number that originally features one Mr. ELTON JOHN. It’s a huge soft rock ballad, and made all the more poignant with a huge screen displaying past legends such as JOHNNY CASH, KURT COBAIN, JIMMY HENDRIX and more, it’s powerful imagery with a clear message; don’t let rock and roll die, and to be quite frank, on tonight’s performance, (take away Pete Wentz own microphone quality issues) it would be an insult to let that happen. Rock and roll may not need a lot of saving right now, but, it’s comforting to know that the support is out there and ready to be called upon.
RSS Feed