The night began with Florentenes, a Manchester-based indie rock band, who immediately captured the attention of the crowd. Their sound was bold, sharp and it reminded me of early Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes. It didn’t take long for people to start taking notice. One of the best moments is when you could see people pause mid-conversation, their attention suddenly diverted by the band’s performance. The subtle wide eyes and appreciative head nods from the crowd were a clear sign of respect – a real accolade for any band on stage before a headliner. Their guitar solos, in particular, were impressive and left a lasting impression. The highlight of their set came with ‘Just Like a Friend’, which quickly became a favourite. With an upcoming EP release and a new single dropping soon, Florentenes are definitely a band to watch.
Seb Lowe is a rising indie star known for his sharp political commentary and infectious melodies. From the moment he launched into ‘Here Come the Aliens!’, it was clear that Seb has something special. His blend of strong social messages and the incredible Kate Couriel on violin, captured us all and kept us engaged throughout. The live debut of ‘A Westerner Walks into a Bar’ was a standout moment, and the final track,‘Terms and Conditions’ definitely left a lasting impact.
By the time Razorlight hit the stage for the first date of their Planet Nowhere tour, it felt like we were all greeting old friends. The band launched straight into their set with energy and enthusiasm. Though there wasn’t much conversation or banter between songs – allowing the music to speak for itself – the moments of excitement came in waves, particularly when they played their well known hits. The set opened strong with ‘Rip It Up’, setting the tone for the night. The crowd’s energy picked up quickly with ‘In the Morning’, and by the time they reached the classic ‘Golden Touch’ and ‘In the City’, the audience was fully engaged!
Razorlight’s sound has such nostalgic energy and has a way of bringing to mind those iconic in between scenes of Gavin & Stacey, The Inbetweeners etc, evoking that unmistakable, anthemic British vibe that remains so loved. You know what I mean! Björn Ågren, the band’s guitarist, added a playful element to the performance with his guitar swings. His energy was infectious!
The encore began with a surprise; ‘Sugar High’, a brand new song that Johnny confirmed hadn’t been released yet. This was followed by ‘Good Night’, before the crowd went wild for the iconic, and let’s be honest, the one we were all waiting for, ‘America’, bringing the night to a close.
The crowd’s response to these renowned hits proved that Razorlight’s songs still have the power to get people singing and dancing, even twenty years after their debut album, Up All Night, was released.
Razorlight’s gig at O2 Guildhall was an evening full of nostalgia and musical moments that reminded us why the band continues to be such a significant part of the UK indie scene. The performance left fans with plenty to look forward to from the band in the future. We can’t wait to hear and see it!
