Looking out towards the sweat laden crowd packed into the O2
Academy tonight the exhilaration is palpable. So is the sweat unfortunately but
I digress. Frenzied fans are literally losing their minds and All Time Low have
yet to even grace the stage. However when the curtain drops the Baltimore boys
are ready for all out mayhem. They manage to blaze through no less than seven
songs before even taking a minute to actually breathe. But their energy is only
topped by the sheer magnitude of their
songs.
"For Baltimore" and "Lost in Stereo" are shining
examples of pop-punk sing-along's at their finest. With polished vocals, a searing
chorus and rhythms that demand to be danced to, it's a winning
formula. Although the band prove to be multifaceted. The grittier riffs
of" So Long, Soldier" induce circle pits in an instant and succeed in
bringing out the edgier tones of Gaskarth's voice.
Sure the stage talk may not
be to the tastes of some with humour reminiscent of the smutty comments of Blink
182. Yet it only makes the band more endearing as it's clear they are not
afraid to make light of themselves. The crowd interaction is also one of their
strengths as a few lucky fans join forces with the band to belt out
"Time-Bomb."
Although the highlight of the night was the acoustic
renditions of "Therapy" and "Remembering Sunday." Stripping
back the production, the comedy and the vigour from the performance to just the
bare bones of a guitar and a spotlight is a brave move for anyone. Strangely
enough though Gaskarth looks more at home than ever as he delivers each lyric
with unrivaled sincerity.
Together the band has over 5000 people enthralled
from the get-go and their set is entertaining throughout. A Love Like Tour has certainly wreaked
havoc upon Birmingham tonight and I have no doubt the rest of this tour will
take the UK by storm.
9/10
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