I have been a fan of The Futureheads ever since I first heard “Decent Days And Nights” back in 2004-2005, when I was only 13-14. Damn! So you could say it was about time that I made a trip out to the city to see the Sunderland band.
Unfortunately I got stuck in traffic on the way down and missed the first opener The Static Jacks. I am still extremely bummed considering I told their guitarist I’d be there and wrote about them last year in my first “Sounds From The Inbox“. Sorry guys.
I got there in time for The Like, and oh man am I in love. The L.A. girls are not only all gorgeous, but they seriously know how to put on a great show. They sing pop songs over punk guitar rock that had everyone in the crowd smiling and bopping. The influences were all over the place. At times their rock riffs reminded me of The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. Add in some well timed organ and I could have sworn these girls listened to The Coral. These girls really know how to play their instruments, I was seriously impressed. I knew about them before the show, but I certainly came out a real fan. Their 2nd album Release Me comes out next Tuesday. Be sure to grab it, it’s a fun record.
I’m not going to lie, I was actually worried for a second that The Like may have outplayed The Futureheads. The girls seriously played an intense set, and it was hard for me to imagine it topped. But shame on me for ever doubting The Futureheads. They came out fierce with an incredible 3 songs opening of The Chaos, Decent Days And Nights, and Heartbeat Song. It turned out that lead singer Barry Hyde had throat problems, and didn’t have his full voice. To tell you the truth, the guy still sounded great. Considering the Futureheads are all about blistering guitars, the show still went on fine.
The Futureheads played mostly cuts from their new album The Chaos, and their debut self titled. They mixed in songs from their other two thought, and we got pretty much everything any Futureheads fan wanted to hear. The crowd even got the crowd to “bouncey bounce” during an epic performance of Skip To The End. If you don’t know what that is, you just have to go to a show and find out. The clear highlights of the night were Decent Days And Nights, Skip To The End, Meantime, Beginning Of The Twist. Yet, the band still found a way to top all of those songs.
Towards the end of the show Barry’s voice was wearing down and he decided to try something “special”. He asked the crowd if anyone who knew all the words to “Hounds Of Love” would want to sing it. Well one of the band’s followers eagerly agreed, and well, he was amazing! He not only knew all the words, but he sang well and with pride. It was a fantastic moment that I will never forget. The crowd was simply going batshit for the kid, and he deserved it. It was a moment that concerts are made for. Bowery Ballroom couldn’t have been happier.
Check out the setlist & my photos from the show, by clicking read more:
The Chaos
Decent Days And Nights
Heartbeat Song
Meantime
Struck Dumb
I Can Do That
First Day
Work Is Never Done
Skip To The End
Back To The Sea
Sun Goes Down
The Beginning Of The Twist
Carnival Kids
Hounds Of Love
Jupiter
Encore: Forgot the name of the song. It’s an oldie. If anyone can help me out, leave a comment please!
The Futureheads:
5
The Like:
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