NME Shockwaves Awards Tour at Newcastle Academy

Thursday saw the first date of the latest NME showcase come to the O2 Academy in Newcastle. The line up consisted of three up and coming bands who are looking to build on successful 2009s going into this year, with veritable granddads of the scene (by comparison to the others) The Maccabees as headliners.

The Drums, The Big Pink and Bombay Bicycle Club all released debut albums or EPs in the second half of last year to critical acclaim. Would they live up to their records in a live setting?

I arrived at the academy at 7.45pm to find queues right round the back of the building, so I did the obvious thing and went to the pub. However upon getting into the gig at 8.15pm, The Drums were already playing their last song, ‘Forever and Ever’. It sounded good but I was annoyed I didn’t get to hear the singles ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ and ‘I Felt Stupid’.

Next up were The Big Pink and I have to admit that despite hearing plenty of good things about their debut ‘A Brief History of Love’, I have not yet heard it. They started amidst a mass of strobes and feedback and the first song was very impressive. I can see why many people mention obvious shoegaze influences, specifically My Bloody Valentine.

Next they played a cover of ‘Cannonball’ by The Breeders, which didn’t fit entirely into the rest of the set. Live, the duo are supplemented with a drummer and a bassist, although they still relied on programmed beats which sometimes sounded superfluous and unnecessary. ‘Dominoes’ was predictably played last and even more predictably the crowd went mad. It is a good song though.  A mixed bag overall.

Bombay Bicycle Club were afforded a longer set as main support and filled it with choice cuts from their debut album ‘I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose’. There was little stage banter between the songs choosing to focus on a tight and frenetic set. The best crowd response was reserved for ‘Always Like This’ and the closer, with its appropriate lyrics for the end, ‘Cancel On Me’. I really like the album and they didn’t disappoint me live, not appearing at all fazed for a band so young.

The Maccabees played a slightly shorter set than last time they were in town due to the four band bill, but they showcased the best tracks from both ‘Colour It In’ and ‘Wall of Arms’. They opened with ‘William Powers’, the set slowed down in the middle for the ever popular ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ and they closed with ‘First Love’ followed by ‘No Kind Words’.

They returned to the stage and surprised me massively by playing a cover of ‘Rip It Up‘ by indie pop forefathers Orange Juice. It was a nice addition to the set although most of the crowd seemed unfamiliar with the track. ‘Love You Better’ rounded off a set where the musicianship was consistently excellent and Orlando’s voice was as strong as ever.  The Maccabees are a very proficient and entertaining live band these days and a great choice for the headline spot on this tour.