The Subways / Bleech / In Dynamics [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 4/10/14]
Now this was a real rock show. TMMP favourites In Dynamics got things off to a wicked start, performing flawlessly to an already-rammed Boileroom and running through epic tunes old and new. Immense alt-rock crackers like Waking Life and personal favourite The House sound extra fierce live, while In Dynamics’ freshest songs hint at a slightly heavier djent-influenced direction spiced up with even more delicate clean sections. In Dynamics are slowly carving out their own niche somewhere between Biffy Clyro and Arcane Roots, showing promise, progress, and some real reasons to get excited about their future.
My spellchecker may not be a fan of Bleech, but they won me over with a raft of grungy tunes that were attitude-laden, in-your-face, and emotional yet gutsy. Bleech do have a sensitive side, but it’s red raw and irritated rather than flimsy and weak – and their audience were instantly hooked. Many meaty riffs and much hearty applause later, Bleech left the stage having gained a few more fanatical hearts and minds.
As much as the crowd loved In Dynamics and Bleech, they’d clearly made the journey to catch The Subways playing in a close-up and intimate environment – and when they got what they wanted, they went batshit crazy without a moment’s hesitation. Almost twenty songs composed of pure rock ‘n’ roll adrenaline; a crowd who knew every last word and nonsense syllable; ultra-dedicated clapalongs; currents of people drifting from one side of the venue to the other while attempting to mosh; a band on top of their game and clearly loving every moment; crowdsurfers sandwiched between hands and poster-covered ceiling (and later joined by frontman Billy Lunn) – the energy level never flagged once here. Instead, things got crazier and crazier until The Subways left on the highest of possible highs.
Through bands like the Subways, rock ‘n’ roll can connect people like few other cultural phenomena – and thanks to venues like the Boileroom, platforms are provided from which it can all get started. This show felt like a three-hour indoor festival, and it was brilliant. Big respect and love to all involved; for a couple of hundred rock fans, this was the perfect Saturday night.
Links
The Subways’ official website.
In Dynamics on Facebook and Twitter.
The Boileroom official website.
Follow TMMP on Twitter for more awesome music! If you’re a regular reader, thanks for the support! Don’t stop, and keep going!