The Gaslight Anthem/Against Me! (Shepherd's Bush Empire, 29.08.15)
From the moment Against Me! launched into "True Trans Soul Rebel" last night, I had shivers down my spine. Showcasing a number of tracks from last years superb "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" record (concerning singer Laura Jane Grace's transition), this was a 45 minute din in the best sense of the term, concluding with a triumphant rendition of "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" (my favourite track off their "White Crosses" album). They have many admirers in the room, as the frenzied reaction to tracks like "White People For Peace" demonstrates. Punk rock has seldom been as passionate, vital or enthralling.
The Gaslight Anthem are too good to be upstaged by their support, although it's true to say that I enjoyed this set less than their Brighton gig a couple of months back. It's a solid 90 minutes of rock and roll with some stand out moments, like the entire crowd bellowing the chorus of "Old White Lincoln" back to the band and moving as one to the enormous chorus of "Blue Dahlia". Few other bands would permit one of their B-sides to become a live favourite. In general, it's a night where TGA's older material gets to shine, with frenzied renditions of "The Patient Ferris Wheel" and "The 59 Sound" proving particular highlights.
As always, it's great to see Frank Turner when he comes on stage to duet with Brian Fallon on "Great Expectations" but it's difficult to deny that the track loses a great deal in a stripped back acoustic performance. "Underneath The Ground" from the band's most recent record is similarly lifeless. But we're seldom too far away from a great track, be it the subtle lament of "She Loves You" or the urgency of "Boomboxes and Stereos".
It's the last we'll see of The Gaslight Anthem for a while with the band announcing a hiatus prior to their European run. I suspect they'll be back before too long, but for the time being I'm pleased to have purged the experience of their disappointing show at Alexandra Palace last year.
The Gaslight Anthem are too good to be upstaged by their support, although it's true to say that I enjoyed this set less than their Brighton gig a couple of months back. It's a solid 90 minutes of rock and roll with some stand out moments, like the entire crowd bellowing the chorus of "Old White Lincoln" back to the band and moving as one to the enormous chorus of "Blue Dahlia". Few other bands would permit one of their B-sides to become a live favourite. In general, it's a night where TGA's older material gets to shine, with frenzied renditions of "The Patient Ferris Wheel" and "The 59 Sound" proving particular highlights.
As always, it's great to see Frank Turner when he comes on stage to duet with Brian Fallon on "Great Expectations" but it's difficult to deny that the track loses a great deal in a stripped back acoustic performance. "Underneath The Ground" from the band's most recent record is similarly lifeless. But we're seldom too far away from a great track, be it the subtle lament of "She Loves You" or the urgency of "Boomboxes and Stereos".
It's the last we'll see of The Gaslight Anthem for a while with the band announcing a hiatus prior to their European run. I suspect they'll be back before too long, but for the time being I'm pleased to have purged the experience of their disappointing show at Alexandra Palace last year.
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