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Before the Birmingham trio even took to the stage, the veritable expedition to Gillygate had already been rewarded in the shape of the support; first on was local post-rock group Where’s Hollywood?, deeply impressing with introspective guitar pyrotechnics and tautly sculpted instrumental songs. They were followed by London-based quintet Stagecoach, who wowed with a performance that left those assembled in no doubt that they are an act to keep a close eye on. The London-based quintet seem to have hit on a truly original brand of pop-rock; you’ll hear glimmers of other artists, but never overwhelmingly so. They shot the venue through with a vibrant optimism and it was fantastic to see the mandolin incorporated as part of an overall effect rather than being featured to death à la Mumford & Sons’ banjo.
However, from the moment they kicked off their set, Johnny Foreigner adopted the small stage like a king reclaiming a crown, white-washing the venue in their hallmark distortion. It was the energy of their performance that impacted the most, not just their all encompassing stage presence but also the dynamism of their sound.
Rather uniquely, at least in its candidness, most of their songwriting directly concerns the ups and downs of life in the band, and this translates brilliantly in a live setting. With all three members contributing vocals, often at the top of their lungs, the songs often seemed like dialogues, passionate exchanges between band-mates. This is music that no other band could possibly deliver in such an engaging way. They mirrored their lyrical angst in their playing, extracting all manner of clamour from their instruments.
While avoiding more predictable choices, the setlist struck a good balance between older material and songs from the band’s current release, an EP with a name so magnificently long I’ve decided to include it below in footnote-form. As well received as the new tracks were, it was the established fan favourites that drew the biggest reactions, ‘Feels Like Summer’ from last year’s album Grace And The Bigger Picture greeted with particular warmth.
While the band’s typical explosively compact song structures pervaded the majority of the set, there were more fragile moments. The occasions on which bassist Kelly Southern took on lead vocals were especially effective; the bitter emotional honesty of ‘I’ll Choose My Side And Shut Up’ was poignant and the introduction to ‘Our Bipolar Friends’ proved a real highlight: ‘All I can ask/When I get back/If you could leave the light on if you’re not staying up’. Bringing the evening to a close, members of Stagecoach collaborated with the band on musical tour de force ‘The Coast Was Always Clear’.
What shone throughout the evening was the compatibility and passion of the band members as people as well as musicians. Yes, they made more noise than anyone could ever expect to hear from just three people. But between the music their characters sustained the energy; if banter with the audience failed, they turned to each other, exchanging mockery in a way only the best of friends can. You really got the impression that they could take on the world if they wanted to. Some may take the opinion that three is a crowd; when it comes Johnny Foreigner, three’s an army.
Footnotes
1. The new Johnny Foreigner EP is entitled You thought you saw a shooting star but yr eyes were blurred with tears and that lighthouse can be pretty deceiving with the sky so clear and sea so calm.
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