Lostprophets finished their warm up tour for their performances at the Reading and Leeds festivals in front of a sold out crowd at the Shepherds Bush Empire in West London. Supporting the Welsh group at this performance were compatriots Attack Attack! who did their best to warm up, and dry off, the sodden crowd. However, due to the biblical rain that pummelled southern England this Wednesday in question, their best efforts were largely met with indifference from a crowd whose primary interest was preventing pneumonia. However, they are a talented act who have a large group of dedicated followers. It is my opinion that although not quite to my taste, Attack Attack! are definitely worth a look in at their own gig, on a day where the sky is not falling down to earth.
After a short delay, met with unrest and frustration by the now moist, rather than saturated, ensemble, the lights extinguished and the venue exploded with anticipation for the nights main act. Drummer Luke Johnson took to his kit in centre stage, and launched into the beat for fan favourite "Can't Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes Won't Save You This Time). After around a minute of the Johnson solo, the newest member of the sextet was joined on stage by guitarists Lee Gaze and Mike Lewis, bassist Stuart Richardson and turntables and backing vocalist Jamie Oliver. Only one member of the group was yet to appear, and sure enough, moments later, amid the predictable and slightly grating screaming of teenage girls, front man Ian Watkins appeared imperiously from the wings. The unmistakeable riff of this iconic song then poured from Mike Lewis’ amp, and the set was underway. The choice to open with this hit from 3rd album Liberation Transmission turned out to be an inspired decision as its intrinsic 'sing-along-ability' ignited the fire beneath the previously dormant crowd, who appeared to be in fine voice despite the horrific weather outside.
One track down and this already seemed to have the potential to be another classic Lostprophets performance. However, as a firm believer that heavier tracks need to be played later in the set to give the crowd time to warm up, the decision to play Start Something classic Burn Burn second was met with disappointment by this blogger. Predictably, the mosh pits opened up are small, lacklustre and not what this song deserves. Disappointing though this decision is, this song being a personal favourite, the performance is perfect and is the only low point in the entire set list.
New singles It's Not the End of the World But I Can See It From Here and For He's a Jolly Good Felon follow and are greeted with great enthusiasm, largely by the younger post-LibTran fans, and provide more classic sing along opportunities. Four songs in and the atmosphere is electric, due to minimal chat from the band and perfect performances, however as a long term fan, it was clear to me that this performance would only improve.
Later treats for this evening's audience include rare renditions of Wake Up (Make a Move), and the cracking cover of Omen. The next five songs in the set list result in deafening singing from the audience, almost drowning out the band, as they slickly juxt apose crowd favourites such as Last Train Home with brand new hits such as Where We Belong.
Eleven songs into the gig and it is already a classic, however it is the last five songs that are to make this night truly memorable. The opening riff of To Hell We Ride is met with literal shrieks of pleasure from many, myself included, who value 2nd album Start Something to be one of the greatest of all time. The enthusiasm of this group is not shared by the majority of the post-LibTran fans, but even these placid youngsters could not deter the Prophets faithful from attempting to tear the place down. Cries of "Godzilla...Godzilla" were spectacularly answered as the group launched into the iconic "We Are Godzilla, You Are Japan", evoking more mayhem amongst the hardcore fans. The only disappointing part of this section of the set was the lack of people who were singing along to these classics, it seems that many newer fans have yet to retrace their steps into the gold of the band's first two albums.
The last three songs of the night, an extremely rare performance of The Fake Sound of Progress, Shinobi Vs Dragon Ninja and an even more unique rendition of Sway, are again performed effortlessly and perfectly to bring an end to on of the best gigs this blogger has ever attended.
Rating: 8.5/10 - Set-list perfect but worrying lack of Start Something era fans in attendance
Setlist:
1. Can't Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes Won't Save You This Time)
2. Burn Burn
3. It's Not The End Of The World But I Can See It From Here
4. For He's A Jolly Good Felon
5. Wake Up (Make A Move)
6. Omen (Prodigy Cover)
7. Last Summer
8. A Town Called Hypocrisy
9. Last Train Home
10. Where We Belong
11. Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)
12. To Hell We Ride
13. We Are Godzilla, You Are Japan
14. The Fake Sound Of Progress (Song of the Evening!)
15. Shinobi Vs. Dragon Ninja
Encore
16. Sway
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