Music
Review: Fightstar, O2 Academy Brixton, London
A rescheduled reunion show has a way of dishing out some mixed emotions.
So as Fightstar headline London’s O2 Brixton Academy five years after announcing their hiatus, you’ll find that you’re mostly feeling happy to have them back.
Before Charlie Simpson and co get down to business though, Moose Blood – aka. saviours of all that is good and pure in emo – take their first steps onto the iconic stage.
If anything, frontman Eddy seems less nervous than usual, taking the 5,000-capacity venue in his stride as they showcase the best of their debut album, I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time.
There’s something heart-warming about hearing the likes of Boston and Bukowski ring around O2 Brixton Academy, while the foursome play similar sets to the ones I’ve witnessed in the upstairs of East London’s Old Blue Last.
With their signature fairy lights draped over amps, something suggests the Canterbury four-piece will be adjusting to these bigger venues faster than they ever thought possible.
Meanwhile, headliners Fightstar sound like they never left. In fact, it’s hard to remember when the quintet ever roared quite so loud.
Opening with Paint Your Target could’ve been bittersweet for some fans, but it’s unquestionably the best way to make an entrance.
Without any new material under their belts, there’s only one way to go; to which Fightstar fire through the best of their back-catalogue, leaving 2005’s They Liked You Better When You Were Dead to form the encore.
There’s little let-up in the set, as Charlie hands over guitar duty and lets loose for the last few songs.
With confirmation of plans to write new material and their third stage headline slot at Download Festival 2015 around the corner, this is far from being another Fightstar farewell.
Check out the full Fightstar photo gallery.
Related posts:
