By David O’Neill
Having experienced a phenomenally successful few years, with their last two albums reaching high in all charts from the “official” listings to the rock charts, this was an early Christmas/end of year celebration for the Llanelli four. My previous reviews have spoke of the band’s humility and appreciation for the fans and their support to get them this success, and this a theme continued in this grassroots gig. The room was packed to capacity and not only because it was an “Christmas show” (albeit at the end of November), and there were many familiar (and family) faces in the crowd. I will own up to having forgotten about this review with so many competing commitments at the time.
There was no support. From the entry to the stage the band did a two two hour set (with a break) comprising of a mix of songs from their three albums in each set. As it was at the end of the tour the performance and stage presence of all the band were as tight as a pair of medium boxer shorts on an XL body.
Kicking off with the first single from this year’s stomper, ‘When The Colours Meet’, ‘Secret Drug- and returning to ‘No One Else To Blame’ from ‘Show Your Colours’ really got the crowd going, although they were very partisan. ‘Take You Home’ was rapidly followed by ‘You Take My Breath Away’. A quick about face to ‘WTCM’ saw ‘Streets of Fire’ opened up with a great guitar riff from Chris Jones before the heavily emotion filled voice of Wayne added to the feeling in the song. After the energy expended on these, a slight breather was permitted for both audience and band with ‘I Can Sleep Now’ , ‘Let Your Love Go’, ‘Divide And Conquer’ and ‘Heal’ finishing the first set to cheers and huge applause. After that the crowd, the band and I needed a drink.
After a 30 minute break the guys returned and ripped into ‘My House My Rules’, a great start, and linked to ‘Part Of Me and ‘Heads In The Ground’ from ‘SYC’.
It is obvious that the band write about their experiences, an emotion echoed by Wayne when talking about the politicizing of ‘See Through Blue’; although the interpretation of the theme of the album may have led to this conclusion, Wayne said they are not a political band. Next up, ‘How Much Is Enough?’ could potentially lead to this conclusion.
Yet another crowd favourite in ‘These Days’ had everyone in the room joining in again before ‘Who Wants To Be In Love’ led into ‘Save Me’, which has a serious Stereophonics sound to it and a great singalong hook, with the crowd happily joining in again. ‘Grace’ added some more emotion to the set and is rapidly becoming an audience favourite. ‘It Was Beautiful’ ended the main set.
As it was a “Christmas” show there were balloons and party hats everywhere for the encores of ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ and ‘Do They Know Its Christmas’ before ‘Let Me In’ finally finished the night off in style.
Another great set by the Rebels who just get better and better.