James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
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The band kicked off the set with four of the most racing and exhilarating songs from the new album, including two big singles ‘Party Girl’ and ‘That’s The Truth’, setting the pace as they meant to go on. The fact that none of these songs had been played at any of their other seven tours meant that it was an exciting way to start and show the crowd what’s new before showing them the older, well loved songs later on. Next was a favourite of previous tours, ‘Transylvania’, a chance for Dougie to swap his bass for Tom’s guitar and show off his vocals and songwriting skills in what is one of their many sing-a-long songs. There were then three songs from Radio:Active, the previous album which was more guitar-led than Above the Noise’s synth-driven sound, thus offering some major contrast to the show and emphasising how flexible a band McFly really are. A medley of ‘All About You’ and ‘Obviously’, their two most successful acoustic songs is the most ballad-like this energetic show is, sending us all back to the good old days- especially as the former was the only song played from second album Wonderland.
The second half of the show maintained a high level of variety and surprise, including two more songs from the new album with some particularly fantastic guitar moments from Danny and Tom, the live debut of the upbeat ‘Smile’ (my personal favourite McFly song), for which Tom’s dad joined them on stage with his opening, growly vocals and guitar work, and a platform descending to above the standing area for a more personal experience in the massive Wembley Arena during ‘Star Girl’ and ‘Five Colours in her Hair’. The surprising cover of this tour was Tinie Tempah’s ‘Pass Out’, in which Danny reappeared from backstage after a “guest star” introduction, now with sunglasses and a hand-held microphone ready to strut around the stage like only he can; McFly really are expert at choosing a completely unexpected song to cover and making it their own. Finally, The Last Song was played though its name only teases, as there was an expert encore ending with recent single ‘Shine A Light’ (though without sign of its collaborator Taio Cruz).
Despite Dougie’s recent stint in rehab for depression after his break up The Saturdays’ Frankie, the whole band seemed just as dynamic and in love with their job as ever, stopping to show off the lit-up fret of Dougie’s bass, Harry’s left nipple and run around the platform with plunge guns, firing foam into the crowd. All in all, this was McFly on top form and hopefully they can keep this up for as long as possible, for their live show isn’t one to be missed!
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