By David O’Neill
FM returned to Cardiff’s Globe with a set that proved why they remain one of the UK’s most enduring melodic rock outfits. Playing to a packed and enthusiastic crowd, the five-piece delivered a slick, high-energy show that introduced some of their recent ‘Brotherhood’ album while still leaving plenty of room for fan favourites from their extensive back catalogue and including some that have infrequently or not been played live for a number of years.
Support came from Brave Rival, who set the tone perfectly with a confident, blues-infused set. Their energy and soulful delivery won over the room from the first note, and it was clear they were relishing the chance to play in front of a full house. The vocals of Lindsey Bonnick were incredible, full of power and range that had the obvious army of FM fans in awe of the performance in their 45-minute set.
Opening with the catchy riff/hook laden ‘Bad Choices’, those there knew they were in for s great start. There wasn’t a bad track, and the band connections were easy to see. The highlight came during ‘Fairytale’; another great vocal performance was accompanied during the breakdown by a prolonged guitar solo by Ed Clarke. The rhythm section of Donna Peters (playing on Pete Jupps’ drums) and Billy Dedman (bass) really held the whole thing together thoughout. This band are definitely going places.
Opening with ‘Synchronised’, ‘I Belong To The Night’ and crowd favourite ‘Turn This Car Around’, FM wasted no time in showcasing their strengths, the tracks slotting seamlessly into the set with the kind of choruses and harmonies that have long been their trademark.
Steve Overland’s vocals were as formidable as ever, soaring effortlessly through anthemic hooks while Jim Kirkpatrick’s guitar work drove the heavier moments with precision and warmth.
The Globe’s intimate setting only added to the atmosphere—this was a masterclass in connection between band and audience, (the front row could almost have played guitars with the band).
FM’s ability to make a venue of this size feel like an arena was helped along by a celebratory mood in the crowd, who sang back every chorus, new and old alike. The newer tracks sat comfortably alongside the more established material, with longtime fans clearly relishing the mix of eras.
Towards the end of the one hour 45-minute set, ‘That Girl’, ‘Bad Luck’, ‘Tough It Out’ and ‘Killed By Love’ had the fans in full voice. If anyone doubted Steve Overland’s vocal, the solo exposure during the encore accompanied by the legendary Jem Davis on keyboard on ‘Just Walk Away’ put those doubts firmly to bed before the rest of the band rejoined on the final song of the night ‘Heart Of The Matter’.
By the time FM closed the night with soaring, uplifting numbers, The Globe had been wholly won over. Forty-plus years on, they’ve lost none of their fire, and this Cardiff show proved their ‘Brotherhood’ with fans is as strong as ever. This was an exemplary demonstration of AOR rock in a venue that just demonstrated what a class act can do with a big sound on the small stage of the Globe delivered another huge band with superb sound.
