Lostprophets
Live at O2 Academy Leeds on Saturday, 21st April 2012
Having been a huge fan of Lostprophets for many years, I was excited (to say the least) to be given the opportunity to review the Leeds gig on the band's Weapons album tour.
Feeling like a young teen again, I took my place on the balcony, ready for some electrifying rock and roll!
The support for this evening is Modestep, a dance band that many thought was out of place on the tour, with their dub step sounds infused with electro vibe. However, with their energetic stage presence, Modestep managed to get the sold out venue riled up ready for the Welsh sextet.
When the lights dim at quarter past 8 and the intro kicks in, the crowd literally go wild, chanting "Lostprophets" and screaming at high octaves; people here are ready for this event.
The band take to the stage to the song "Bring 'em Down", the comeback track, which entails a huge sing a long, and great opening for them.
Following on from the explosive start are songs "It's Not The End Of The World...", "Better Off Dead" and "Can't Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes Won't Save You This Time)" and the mass "Do do do do" belts out from everyone in the Academy.
It is clear to see that, no matter how long the Lostprophets lads take out to write an album, there will always be a crowd awaiting their return. It is great to see the crowd still jumping after all these years.
Other hits in the set list include "4am Forever", "Last Summer" and the brilliant "Burn Burn", which had guest vocalist Aled Phillips from another Welsh band, Kids In Glass Houses, or "The Lost Boys" as Ian Watkins, singer of Lostprophets, referred to them as they lurked in the balcony shadows. The Kids In Glass Houses guys had a gig in Sheffield and had decided to have a trip over for the gig, which pleased the crowd immensely when Watkins told Phillips to join in on the song.
The banter throughout the set was the usual hilarity from the Lostprophets guys, along with jokes towards the ongoing "Yorkshire" chants, which do indeed sound like "You're shit" when you're stood on the stage! However, all was in jest, and the crowd lapped up every word with Cheshire cat style grins and guffaws.
Ending the set was the scream-a-thon "Everyday Combat", which had the Academy almost swinging from the ceiling it was that pleasing. The outro "Sway" rang out as the people poured out of the Academy, buzzing with excitement and adrenaline.
For me, it is awesome to see so many people into the band, and singing along to their old and new songs. The gig was one of the best I have ever seen Lostprophets, and my ears are still ringing now, which is always a sign of a good night!
