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Live Reviews

Manic Street Preachers

Cambridge Corn Exchange

Monday 11th October 2021

Manic Street Preachers

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MANIC STREET PREACHERS – CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE – LIVE REVIEW

Manic Street Preachers are a legendary act at this point so it’s no surprise that their show at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge is sold out well in advance. A well-received new album doesn’t hurt either and that’s exactly what the band has in the shape of ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’!

Read our review of ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’ from Manic Street Preachers

Before the band grace the stage however we get the support act, Low Hummer. Seasoned gig goers have all experienced unknown support acts that surpass expectations, and sadly also those that sound like they’ve never picked up an instrument before that night. Thankfully tonight it’s the former as Low Hummer deliver an fantastic opening performance.

Confident and assured the band are given a generous 40 minute opening set and they make the very most of it with a performance that will have won over many new fans from the packed audience. Low Hummer, remember the name, definitely ones to watch.

There really isn’t any surprise however in what comes next, as Manic Street Preachers have grown their reputation on the back of live shows. Starting tonight with ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, ‘Orwellian’ and ‘Your Love Alone Is Not Enough’ they instantly bring the crowd into play.

There are plenty of sing-a-long anthems to get through tonight with ‘You Stole the Sun From My Heart’, ‘Everything Must Go’ and ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’ all coming in the first half of the show.

Tonight is also an opportunity to witness the glory of some of the best from ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’. ‘The Secret He Had Missed’, ‘Still Snowing in Sapporo’ and ‘Complicated Illusions’ all shining in amongst the established fan favourites.

WATCH ‘THE SECRET HE HAD MISSED’ ON YOUTUBE
Manic Street Preachers – ‘The Secret He Had Missed’

As the evening gets deep the band then break out a cover of Guns N Roses hit ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’. Why you might ask, but this is the Manic Street Preachers and as we touched on in our album review of ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’ they have earned the right to do whatever they want.

There is still the likes of ‘Tsunami’, ‘You Love Us’ and ‘A Design For Life’ left to bring the evening to a close and as always send the crowd home happy. Long live the Manic Street Preachers!

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Live Reviews

Fontaines D.C.

Cambridge Corn Exchange

Monday 4th October 2021

Fontaines D.C.

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FONTAINES D.C. – CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE – LIVE REVIEW

It’s a little bit dark, a little bit cold and a little bit wet… so, it’s definitely gig season now! Yes, the festivals that brought about the return of live music are consigned to the history books and we now head back indoors.

Tonight the venue is the beautiful Corn Exchange in Cambridge, and the entertainment is provided by Fontaines D.C.!

Up first however is our sole support act for the evening, The Altered Hours. The band perform a set that builds momentum slowly and gathers favour with the audience as it progresses.

Soon enough it is time for our headliners, and the reason for the sold out venue, Fontaines D.C.. When speaking of momentum, there aren’t many bands who have the momentum of Fontaines D.C.. Even through a global pandemic, the band has grown considerably.

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Their second album, ‘A Hero’s Death’ is a major reason for that. After their highly praised debut record, ‘Dogrel’, the pressure was on to create another masterpiece. Where others have failed, Fontaines D.C. succeeded, and now the songs finally get to come to life in the live setting.

Beginning with the title track and ‘A Lucid Dream’ evidences early that these newer songs fit in seamlessly with the older favourites that follow such as ‘Sha Sha Sha’.

The band most definitely are on form tonight, but special mention goes to the audience. It’s been a very long time since a Cambridge audience has been so rowdy. With both band and crowd demonstrably up for it, this evening feels special.

The setlist bounces between the bands two releases and even slower numbers such as ‘I Don’t Belong’ see the audience go crazy and the band reciprocate.

The run of ‘Hurricane Laughter’, ‘Too Real’ and ‘Big’ is absolutely immense and sends the night into overdrive. Set closer ‘Boys in the Better Land’ and encore number ‘Liberty Belle’ finish out a stunning evening of music to send the fans home happy.

As the fans head out into the even darker, even colder and even wetter Cambridge night, they are left to reminisce on a band who’s momentum may mean they aren’t playing venues this size for much longer!

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Read our review of IDLES live at PRYZM, Kingston

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Live Reviews

Black Stone Cherry

Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Tuesday 28th September 2021

Black Stone Cherry

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International travel restrictions and pandemic related concerns has seen most touring in the UK come from domestic acts. One US based band however that has moved heaven and earth to undertake their scheduled shows is Black Stone Cherry. Not too surprising really as the band were adopted by the UK many years ago.

Black Stone Cherry made their name and grew their brand on UK soil and it’s also no surprise that the show tonight is sold out. There is a mutual love and respect between band and fans and all of that helps to build a great atmosphere at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

Before the headliners however normally comes the support. Tonight is no different as Kris Barras Band take to an already packed venue. The band is given a decent length slot to win over those in attendance, and the receptive audience is quickly onboard.

From opening track ‘Dead Horses’ to closer ‘Hail Mary’, Kris Barras and co are able to create a connection with the audience through the medium of rock. Whilst that may sound a tad cheesy, the fact is Barras is the ideal support for this show, with his set being very well received.

Check out our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast

Soon enough it’s time for Black Stone Cherry to grace the stage and they receive a hero’s welcome. The band quickly burst out ‘Me and Mary Jane’, ‘Burnin’ and ‘Again’ for a blistering start to their set.

WATCH ‘AGAIN’ ON YOUTUBE
Black Stone Cherry – ‘Again’

The band now has seven studio albums to draw from and tonight is literally a career-spanning setlist with a least one representative from each album. Sophomore release ‘Folklore and Superstition’ gets the greatest attention tonight with six tracks aired including rarer outings for ‘Yeah Man’ and ‘Devil’s Queen’.

The band had managed to maintain a steady line-up since their formation around 20 years ago, but this year saw the departure of bassist Jon Lawhon. It’s down to Steve Jewell to fill those shoes and tonight he fits in effortlessly as the band remind fans why this country embraced them so early.

Last year saw the release of their latest album, ‘The Human Condition’ and two more tracks are on offer tonight with both ‘Ringin’ in My Head’ and ‘In Love With the Pain’ going over well with the audience. They fit in well with the set staples such as ‘Blind Man’, ‘Blame It On The Boom Boom’, ‘White Trash Millionaire’ and ‘Lonely Train’.

All live music still feels special at the moment, but tonight felt extra special. An emotional ‘Things My Father Said’ and stunning ‘Peace Is Free’ perhaps best capturing the moment. It’s great to have international touring acts return to the UK, and it’s fitting for one of the first to be Black Stone Cherry.

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Read our review of ‘Marching In Time’ from Tremonti