Fightstar  - Live - Brighton Concorde

From 9/2/2010

+ The Xcerts, Cars on Fire, All Forgotten 

With this being only the second date of their UK support jaunt, it’s understandable that Surrey five-piece All Forgotten don’t seem able to get fully into stride tonight, lacking a certain definition and immediacy of delivery over their brief set, and creating the impression of a rather muted performance. There’s certainly plenty of potential here, but in front of a largely indifferent audience the band appear indistinguishable from numerous similar acts, Deaf Havana, You Me At Six and so on, though without the instinctive draw of aforesaid bands; it’s not their evening sadly, but one can really see them making waves in future given further experience and an individual element to set them apart from the mass.

Cars on Fire are a different proposition altogether today, assured and compelling from start to finish. Tackling their slot with a conviction that would befit headliners, the upcoming quartet imbue tracks from last year’s outstanding mini album ‘Dig Your Own Grave’ with a ferocious, irresistible drive that sends bodies crashing together left and right, their hardcore tinged rock hitting all the right notes throughout. ‘Work Horse , ‘Sharks’ et al are even more viscerally effective live than on record, and as frontman Ali Ross downs guitar to conduct the mayhem from inside the crowd itself at the conclusion of signature track ‘Burn The Suits,’ it’s near impossible not to concur with suggestions that we’re in the presence of one of Britain’s most promising bands.

While we’re on the subject, the same tag could quite justifiably be applied to the next band to hit the stage, Scottish trio The Xcerts. Before a receptive audience, the band put on a performance that feels charmingly intimate and genuine, what their set lacks in duration made up for in endearing, unpretentious quality, brittle melody and an abundance of energy, winning over plenty of new admirers in the process. We await album number two with much interest; for the moment though, songs from debut ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile’ show few signs of wear.

There’s little doubt that in the minds of many assembled tonight, all of this has been little more than a pleasant introduction to what we’re truly here for, namely tonight’s headliners. Fightstar are a band that can inspire adulation and dismissal of equal potency but those out in force here fall squarely into the former camp, the band’s entrance tape in itself raising near hysterical levels of excitement (not to mention some ear rending screams from the female contingent) before ‘War Machine’ from latest album ‘Be Human’ kicks off a comprehensive and lengthy set, a clutch of recent material rubbing shoulders with some lesser seen favourites like ‘Sleep Well Tonight’ and ‘Build an Army’ . Of late messrs Simpson and co have drawn plaudits for their consistency and professionalism, something that shines through tonight; even the most ardent hater would have to admit that this live show is well honed, a group of musicians in (literal and metaphorical) harmony and visibly enjoying themselves, even the outing of a previously unreleased song from aforementioned latest album’s upcoming rerelease doing nothing to dampen the party atmosphere. Wherever they progress from here it’s fair to say that there’re plenty of hearts and minds behind them, something that should never be underestimated... an impressive display.
 

Ratings out of 10 -

All Forgotten: 6

Cars on Fire: 9

The Xcerts: 8

Main Rating for Fightstar