Gig Review: Alexisonfire @ Brixton Academy. 02/12/12

First of all, apologies must be extended to my regular readers (Mike and Lynn) who have obviously been missing my gig reviews. Well fear not fellas, luckily for you I had nothing better to do during my lunch hour than produce this bad boy.

I was first introduced to Alexisonfire at Reading Festival in 2007. A festival favourite, this Canadian quintet are famed for the energy of their live shows, and I was not disappointed. A number of Reading performances later and after attending one of their own shows in Brighton, Alexisonfire quickly became one of my favourite live bands. Dubbed ‘post hardcore’, their sound is refreshingly unique, masterfully blending harsh screaming vocals with Dallas’ smooth crooning, all to the background of some extraordinary riffs.

However, after ten years together as a band, they decided to call it quits in 2011 due to members pursuing other ventures (City and Colour/Gallows etc). So for Alexis-fans worldwide there was a horrible period of time where we thought we would never get to see them again, and not be able to bid our farewells. Thankfully, earlier this year they announced that they would be playing a handful of dates worldwide on their farewell tour. Two nights at the Brixton Academy were the only European dates on the tour and needless to say tickets sold out in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Luckily a number of us managed to grab tickets to the first night of the tour. Aces.

The evening began with the customary catch up in a local pub (on this occasion the fantastic Duke of Edinburgh in Brixton), close to the venue. The support act for the evening were the specially reformed Ghost of a Thousand, who none of us were particularly bothered about to be honest, so more beer was consumed.

We entered the main hall of this fantastic venue around 10 minutes before the band were due on stage. I have been to many gigs in my time, but I have to say that I have never experienced an atmosphere like the one on this night. The sense of anticipation in the capacity crowd eclipsed anything I have been a party to before. For many in attendance this would be their last chance EVER to see their favourite band, so it’s understandable to say the least.

As the lights extinguished and the banner descended behind the stage, the roar was deafening. The boys exploded onto the stage to the opening riff of my favourite track, Crisis, and Brixton exploded. As I am still nursing a broken foot, I was unable to be in the thick of the crowd, but as soon as the unmistakable chord sequence began, nobody was able to stand still at all. Dallas could not be heard over screams from the audience in this opener, but never have the lyrics ‘This season’s growing cold, I feel like this could be the end’ been so poignant. This is indeed the end of Alexisonfire, but if you were at the show last night, seeing this reaction, you would not be able to understand why they are calling it a day.

Hardly stopping between hits, Ontario’s finest launched into bruising riff after bruising riff, sending the 6,000 strong faithful into ecstasy. When it could be made out over the phenomenal crowd, Dallas’ voice was the best I have ever heard it, not an imperfect note in a 23 song set list.

Alexis are renowned for their song writing abilities, having won numerous awards in their native Canada, but never have I seen a band’s lyrics seem so ironic as during the epic ‘Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints’. ‘Are you pretending? Are you even listening?’ was screamed back at the band with such passion it was an incredible thing to witness. Safe to say no-one was pretending inside Brixton.

Inevitably, the show came to an end with the impeccable ‘Happiness by the Kilowatt’ after which the band took their final bows, expressing their thanks for all the support their UK fan base has given them over the years. In all honesty, it is us who should be thankful to a fantastic band who have provided us with so many incredible experiences throughout the years. The fact that we are not to be lucky enough to witness Alexisonfire live again is only just beginning to sink in. And it sucks.

Other bands need to take note, if you are going to bow out; this is the way to do it. Graceful, Composed, Heartbreaking. Let’s be honest, Alexisonfire have gone out the way all good bands should go, in a blaze of glory.

Never again will we ‘raise up our hands, and sing along’. All the best, lads.

Rating: 9/10

Set list:

1. Crisis
2. Get Fighted
3. Waterwings
4. Old Crows
5. Control
6. You Burn First
7. We Are the Sound
8. 44. Caliber Love Letter
9. This Could Be Anywhere in the World
10. Midnight Regulations
11. Pulmonary Archery
12. No Transitory
13. Dog’s Blood
14. Keep it on Wax
15. Accept Crime
16. Boiled frogs
17. Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints
18. Charlie Sheen v Henry Rolins
19. The Northern
20. Accidents

21. Rough Hands
22. Young Cardinals
23. Happiness by the Kilowatt

The Future of New Zealand Test Cricket

New Zealand Test Cricket has not covered itself in glory over the last few years. Slipping to second bottom in the Test Rankings, this once proud test playing nation seemingly had no prospect of bucking this losing trend. Or so the cricketing world thought.

NZ’s last two test series have offered a win and a draw (albeit the win was in a one off test against the minnows of Zimbabwe). Now, these results in themselves are unspectacular, and many do not think that they show anything other than a win against a shocking Zimbabwe and an entertaining draw against an under strength Australia. It is evident, however, that the manner of these results and how they came about is intrinsically exciting for the future of this ailing test nation.

It is further submitted that the excitement surrounding the future of NZ cricket can be epitomised in the career of one player; Doug Bracewell. A talented fast bowling all rounder, Bracewell is a uniquely intelligent cricketer who singlehandedly secured these most recent results. Winning the Zimbabwe test with figures of 5-85 in the fourth innings, and ensuring a drawn series with Australia with incredible second test match figures of 9-60, Bracewell has already gained himself the tag of a future star of test cricket.

I lived with Bracewell for four months in 2008 and had an inkling that this guy was destined for special things. The son of former NZ test cricketer, Brendon, Doug ate, drank, and slept cricket for the majority of his life. Having been coached by Brendon myself for four months at the Bracewell Cricket Academy, it is no wonder that his son has developed into the sportsman that he is. Brendon is an immense disciplinarian, a man who does not mince his words if he feels that you are stepping out of line (or even playing down the wrong one). I changed immeasurably in my short time at the academy, so it is little wonder that 21 year old Doug has already shown the mental strength of someone ten years his senior. The glorious combination of raw talent, passion for the game, and the perfect mentor to focus his career, Doug Bracewell is sure to be one of the finds of the last decade.

In addition to this, I am of the personal opinion that Doug is one of the best batsmen that I have played with. Echoing his captain, Ross Taylor, it is evident that the best is yet to come from this talented all rounder in the future.

However, this is not just the start of one man’s promising test career, but the start of a resurgence of a nation. The second test in Hobarth, in which Bracewell captured a lost nation, saw 22 year old Trent Boult make his debut. A sharp left arm seamer, Boult is another that is destined for the big time. Another product of Brendon Bracewell’s Academy, Boult showed enough in his only test to show that he has the ability to trouble the best of batsmen. Bowling a disciplined line in tough conditions, the young left armer showed experience beyond his years. Adding Boult’s emergence to the success already experienced by 21 year old batsman Kane Williamson (yet another ward of Brendon Bracewell’s), the future is potentially bright for the New Zealand test team.

The reader may have picked up on the common link between these three future stars. At one point in their careers (in fact for Doug’s whole career) they were guided and mentored by Brendon Bracewell. The mental strength and moral values that Brendon hammers into his students can be seen in the way these three (to take a very limited example) play their cricket. Brendon’s ‘get hard’ academy is the perfect place for aspiring professionals to groom their techniques and mature into strong and ambitious individuals. If NZ cricket see sense, it won’t be long before they begin to fully utilise Brendon’s unique skills so to produce further young stars.

The start that Doug Bracewell has made to his international career is enough to inspire even the most negative kiwi. The passion and intelligence that he has shown in his handful of appearances so far epitomises the mentality of the youngsters coming through the ranks. If NZ Cricket see sense and grab hold of Brendon Bracewell to nurture this young talent, then it won’t be long before New Zealand will be storming up that rankings table.