Kerrang! Tours are notorious for showcasing a diverse range of bands and this years is no exception. We checked out the 3rd night of the tour at O2’s Birmingham Institute….
Opening act Biter performed a slick rock and roll set to the fast growing crowd, before the energetic Roam took over. Roam have been steadily building momentum over the last 12 months, and showcased the strength of last months release “Backbone” over their 30 minute slot. With Slam Dunk around the corner, this band is definitely one to highlight on those “set clash” sheets!
“This is your new favourite band!” shouted a defiant Frank Carter, and after blistering through debut album “Blossom”, it was hard to argue with him. It took all of 5 minutes before the adventurous frontman was climbing upon the balcony, fast forward another 15 and the crowd were sprinting around him in frenzied chaos. A moving rendition of “Beautiful Death” was a standout moment, slowing things down before launching into the huge lead single “Juggernaut”. With 1,500 middle fingers raised high to closing anthem “I Hate You”, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes were nothing short of brilliant. 10 out of “fucking” 10.
As good as they were however, there was only band everyone came here to see…
SUM 41 ARE BACK!
Bursting on stage with “Over My Head” the atmosphere was electric. The band may have had some troubles over recent years, but there was no sign of that tonight as they pounded through 90 minutes of greatest hits. It put a huge smile on our faces to see Derek Whibley back in good health and on form. Old favourites like “The Hell Song” and “In Too Deep” had the floor jumping, but equally “Screaming Bloody Murder” was well received – despite the divisive opinion of the album. Sum 41 often tease metal influence into their songs; tonight they simply played metal songs – merging Slayers “Reign in Blood’” into the outro of “Motivation”. A later Queen cover was fun, but we’d have preferred another song from their own repertoire such as “Makes No Difference” or “Mr Amsterdam”. The band did still manage to play at least one song from every album and hearing “Summer” live was one ticked off the bucket list. As expected, the night was closed with “Fat Lip”, performed with as much enthusiasm now as it was back in 2001, when we all first learnt those infamous lyrics. The only question we have left is “When is the new album?!”
Full set list below:
Over My Head
Motivation
The Hell Song
Skumfuk
Summer
Handle This
Were All To Blame
Walking Disaster
Underclass Hero
Screaming Bloody Murder
Sick of Everyone
Pieces
King of Contradiction
My Direction
What We’re All About
We Will Rock You (Queen)
Still Waiting
In Too Deep
No Reason
88
Fat Lip
Reviewed by Rich Stokes
Photography by Ali Horton
