There are nights where the stars align, where bands slot into the right place at the right time. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s the sort of occasion that in years to come we’ll all be looking back on and doing that ‘christ, how did that bill come together’ look of regret.
Striding up to the stage first can be nerve-racking, but Bloxx already know what’s in their back-pocket – an immediate and irresistible blend of ready-made hits. With a lightning-sharp array of hooks to the gut, there’s a measured rawness to the sweet pop nuggets they produce. Immediate and able to win over a crowd in a matter of moments, it’s only a matter of time before they take over. Grungy vibes mixed with soaring screams? That’s the sort of mixture ready to take on the world.
Applause rings out as King Nun take the stage. “Imagine if it was terrible,” replies frontman Theo. That statement couldn’t be further from reality. There’s an insatiable thirst for more in every kick and drive. Few other bands enjoy themselves on stage quite as much. That innate feeling of joy and fun is splatted across them tonight. ‘Hung Around’ effortlessly segues between chapters, ‘Sponge’ is a menace while ‘Tulip’ and ‘Speakerface’ burst forth like projectiles from a cannon. What makes King Nun so special is that they keep getting better and better. Before long they’ll be throwing parties left, right and centre, just sign us up for an invite.
More than anything, tonight is a culmination of everything INHEAVEN represent. From the moment they first emerged, shows like this were their goal. They seize the occasion with both hands – stretching out with the city-levelling ‘Bitter Town’. With their debut album behind them, every song is multiplied by a thousand. Take the pounding pits that open up to ‘Treats’, ‘Vultures’ and ‘World On Fire’, or the hands-in-the-air euphoria that accompanies ‘Do You Dream’ and ‘Velvet’. A jigsaw of influences finds a home out on that stage. For an hour, there’s nobody that can touch INHEAVEN.
They don’t pause for breath or dip at any point. Instead, it’s a full-throttle ride. ‘Regeneration’ ends the show as it began, an unbridled celebration of a band in their element – with frontman James Taylor diving into the crowd, guitar in hand as he’s held aloft. This is real and vital. Long may it continue.
Photos: Corinne Cumming