'We're gonna have a good fucking night tonight,' cries Funeral for a Friend lead singer Kris Coombs-Roberts, the crowd of adoring fans arrayed before him lapping up every word.
It's something we all have to do once in life; a small, intensely intimate gig in a good, proper old fashioned pub in the heart of suburbia. This is rock n' roll. The Grove Tavern is a place I've driven past countless times without a second thought, but tonight it was to play host to the beloved Welsh rockers, fresh from releasing their latest album Welcome Home Armageddon.
With a band like this, you're guaranteed the hardcore loyal fans, and they were out in force tonight; packing the tight confines of the pub - a wall of the adoring public, here for the music.
Roses for the Dead kicked things off with a bang, the enraptured audience singing every single word. Fuelled by beer and sheer passion, the fans carried the song on to anthemic heights; making it feel bigger and more powerful than you could scare believe a small pub like this could contain.
Rookie of the Year followed and hands were up and waving across the venue and as the band moved on to debut single Juneau with its anthemic chorus of 'I'm nothing more than a line in your book' the ecstacy reached a climax. The sound built and built, big chunky guitar riffs merging into something almost physical. It moved people.
Sweat, bedraggled fans burst from the crowd to line up more drinks; clambering from the mass of bodies crying 'Fuck... fuck...' in pure joy. This is the magic of the old tracks from 2003 album Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation - these are songs people have grown up with, music that means something. For each and every one of this audience, these songs will be tied to memories, emotions; unfolding into a story in their own right.
At the front, closest to the band, bodies visibly swayed back and forth, a tide of people moving to the music. Coombs-Roberts would regularly stop in between songs to check if everyone is ok, telling the crowd to enjoy their own space and have a safe night. It was a moment of touching sincerity - really emphasising the bond between the band and their loyal fans. 'Don't get people at the front killed!' he urged.
Tracks like Red is the New Black also got a showing while the duo of singles Monsters and History from the Hours album were fucking quality. And that really is the best way to describe a gig like this; quality. This was Funeral for a Friend in their element. The band, the venue, the fans, and most importantly, the music. Good old fashioned fun and the memories of an awesome night for each and every person there to take away with them.
Welcome Home Armageddon is available to download now.
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