By DJ Astrocreep and Hannah Ross
The first show of two in successive days sees me take in the delights of Coheed and Cambria for the first time, with Northern Irish rockers …And So I Watch You From Afar in tow. It’s a quick journey over to Manchester then down to the venue, arriving just as doors open. A quick pint, grab a seat and it’s time for the opener to belt out their set.
Boy, do our support know how to melt our faces! Whilst it’s not the first time I’ve seen …And So I Watch You From Afar, it’s the first time I’ve seen them on this size stage, so there is a certain level of curiosity over quite how that will translate. Turns out, pretty goddamn well! They look perfectly at home, smashing out almost a constant wall of melodic noise into our ears, while a well arranged light show gives plenty to look at too.
There was a touch of thought for how well a Coheed and Cambria audience might take to an instrumental support act, but with the amount of nodding heads and swaying bodies increasing as they work their thirty minute set, it’s a clear sign that it’s no problem at all. It’s an almost constant barrage of music, bar a short thank you break before their final track of the set. A superb support slot.
Coheed and Cambria are actually ten minutes early on to stage, surprising some late comers who miss the first couple of tracks. From the very off, the crowd are up for it and the band are bang on form. The love is definitely going both ways, though there’s not much said by the band, instead preferring to let the music do the talking for them.
The sound and lights are just perfect, amply showcasing both the band’s talent and providing a full show to go alongside what is an extremely tight performance. The solos are nailed and it’s good to see there is no hint of weariness showing so far on the tour. It’s refreshing to see a band being able to play even more complicated parts live without needing some backing to cover any mistakes and is a testament to just how on point their live show is at this time.
They absolutely rattle through the set and while an earlier finish than usual is the only less likeable part of the show, it’s played with such energy, passion and ability that it’s hard to argue that there should be any negativity at all. There is a brief mention for the 20th anniversary of ‘Good Apollo…’ and a couple of tracks, ‘The Suffering’ and set closer ‘Welcome Home’, to celebrate this.
There’s time for songs such as ‘Goodbye Sunshine’, ‘Everything Evil’ and ‘A Favor House Atlantic’, which has a lot of very loud crown sing along, in the main set, while there would have probably been a riot if we didn’t get ‘Welcome Home’ in the encores – and a fitting close to procedures it is too.
A fantastic night of music all around from two bands at the very top of their games.
- All photos © Hannah Ross/Über Röck.
