It is always a joy to discover bands that are on the brink of big things, but who still have hunger and passion and have not yet been tainted by the machinations of the music industry with all the hype that comes along with it. Razorlight are one of these bands. All too soon they will be huge and seeing them in venues of this size will become a distant memory. For those of us lucky enough to see them live, it is time to enjoy intimate gigs while we still can.
The signs of impending fame are already evident. The queue outside The Monarch snakes around the building and the crush to get upstairs to the venue is unbelievable. There is a palpable sense of expectation as Johnny Borrell & co. take to the stage and launch into “Rip it Up”. Borrell’s stage presence is amazing, punctuating every line with such passion that it is very difficult to take your eyes off him. His bandmates provide an able backdrop, thundering through one potential hit after another. Tonight the set includes “Bright Lights”, a song last heard on their XFM Session back in February, and what will soon be their debut single, the anthemic “Rock-N-Roll Lies”. The crowd’s response verges on hysteria, the faithful down front straining to get closer to the stage, eyes shut, singing along with every word. The gig is over way too soon, but the band finish on a high with the undisputed highlight of the set, the already classic stomper “In The City”, leaving the audience hungry for more.
Razorlight are a band with that all too rare combination of style and the talent and tunes to back it up. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to see them – you will not be disappointed.
Kirsty R. - You're So Old Street