Tucked up at the back of the Wulfrun, holding my Banks’s in a plastic cup, surrounded by press and parents, I observed the crowd, averaging 18, and felt old. I admit, I cursed Rock3 for sending me off on this assignment, but as the opening band Farewell kicked off their set, I began to forgive them.
To support any gig is always a challenge in itself, and it was apparent from the start that Farewell was humble to be given the honour. Modest with their banter, yet passionate in their craft, Farewell were a pleasing warm up who could have justified a headline. The crowd responded enthusiastically, especially to 88s which was played and received to their credit.

The following act Houston Calls were equally pleasurable, with their catchy tunes and audience participation on the links proving popular with the crowd and building their anticipation. They were an excellent warm up act, where the keyboard player displayed lively energy, and the front man, remaining unfazed even as a completed beer vessel flew past his head, paid credit to Wolverhampton and its warmly welcoming people.

You Me At Six began their set to a striking light display. The screaming from the swarm raised the roof a little as YMAS took up position. Apart from the excellent lighting effects, I was a little disappointed at the lack of stage show, however, for their ever growing army of fans singing back the lyrics to Jealous Minds Think Alike and Save It For The Bedroom in particular, the music these guys are producing clearly speaks for itself to their dedicated admirers. There was energy from the entire band, and the guitar trio was especially alive in the riffs of The Rumour. The lyric “Hold your hands into the air” united the room, giving rise to waves of Lynx, natural odour and ecstatic appreciation.

To the Emo and teen rockers that filled this sell out show, You Me At Six are clearly loved, adored, and exactly what their target market want, as their fans happily crowd surfed, danced, and even body popped about the packed venue. Yes, I am definitely too old for such a genre, but no one could argue that the tracks blasted out from the newly released Take Off Your Colours album are well received and undeniably well translated to a live hungry crowd. Every track is a crowd pleaser, and the crowd were clearly pleased. It was a good night’s work and a job well done by this up and coming band.

©Meriel Flavell 2008