Tonight’s gig is full of promise and by the end of the night it had doubled that promise and some, sometimes when you get a "double headline tour" it just doesn't seem right, however, putting The Answer and The Union on one bill is a stroke of genius both bands complement each other and the fans get to see two (three) great bands for the price of one!
Skam are first up, this 3 piece from Leicestershire are one of those rare gems you find as a support act, they conjure up fist pumping, head banging Rock N Roll. Thumping drums, aggressive bass lines and some excellent guitar solos make this a band you simply can’t ignore. It’s just a shame we only got 25 minutes of Skam as the crowd would have gladly accepted more from them. Stand out song of the set has to be "No Lies", with "Massacre" a close second.
The Union take to the stage and quickly get into their rhythm, blasting out songs from their 2 albums. The crowd play their part singing and clapping at every opportunity. Pete Shoulder has such an outstanding voice that he can go from singing the bluesy "Blame it on Tupelo" to the stunning "Saviour" and up the tempo again with "Step up To the Plate". Luke Morley has a stage presence that commands respect from his peers, he can do no wrong with a six string in his hands and the crowd show their adulation every time he takes centre stage. Current Single, Obsession, receives the crowd’s full attention and every word is sung from the bottom of their lungs, this just seems to be a warm up and the final 2 songs of the tour get special treatment from the band and the crowd. Black Monday is very close to becoming a classic and with Pete leading the sing-a-long, his fist pumping the air shouting "come on", the crowd reacts and his smile lights up every corner of the room. Sirens Song is given the same treatment, and as the song comes to an end all four members of The Union lap up what is deservedly a huge ovation from the crowd. Don't stay away too long from the stage your country needs you.
The Answer have played in almost every corner of the world supporting AC/DC and tonight they are greeted with huge applause as the walk on stage. They have the air of early Led Zeppelin wrapped in the blues of the doors (albeit without the keyboards). Lead singer Cormack dances with his whole body and he has to have the best hair in rock! His voice is pretty dam good too, with his Harmonica playing, and his stage presence, it kind of makes him the perfect frontman. Blasting through a set list made up mostly off their current album "Revival", the band keep the crowd in the palm of their hands. Highlights include Vida (I want you), Tornado and the excellent Waste Your Tears, current Single "Nowhere Freeway" is (for me) easily the best of the night, played so differently to what you hear on the album or the radio, it sends shivers through the crowd and is a testament to The Answer's ability play anything really, really well.
It’s such a shame this gig actually had to end, 3 bands giving their all what more can you ask for? Maybe a little more time for each band?
