Gaslight Anthem - 20/10/12 O2 Academy, Birmingham

A steaming capacity crowd welcomes band of the moment Gaslight Anthem to Birmingham’s sweltering O2 Academy.  This was the final date of their short 5 date UK tour following a hugely successful 2012 that has seen the band sign to a mainstream label, secure a Top 5 album, complete a string of worldwide festival appearances and outgrow their previous UK tour spots. 

The 02 in Birmingham has an awkward layout, an expensive bar and an inch thick coverage of flyer litter making the journey to the bar rather treacherous but the sound and atmosphere tonight are unbeatable. Drawing together students/indie kids and the dad crowd, the venue is dominated by the Gaslight uniform of checked long sleeve shirts in homage to lead singer Brian Fallon's trademark on-stage clobber. The buzz grows through a terrific set from first support Dave Hause; an energetic singer/songwriter reminiscent of a youthful edgier Bryan Adams.  Hause is no stranger to the Gaslight set up as he toured with Brian Fallon on last year's fantastic Revival Tour.  The raucous Blood Red Shoes are next up and unleash a punk-edged salvo that brings out a worthwhile mix of The Pixies, PJ Harvey and The Von Bondies, the crowd bunching up nicely for the main event.

The rather tired Springsteen comparisons to tonight’s headliners are obvious; they share the same home town, fanatical support, love of blue collar rock and roll and mutual respect for each others passionate from-the-heart live shows that leave their fans embracing strangers and dewy-eyed.  New album ‘Handwritten’ is a well documented departure in writing terms from their previous three efforts, its a continuation of the claustrophobic and personal ‘American Slang’ record but returning to the rockier sound of breakthrough album and underrated classic ’59 Sound’.  The band has borrowed heavily from legends of yesteryear with a nod to Tom Petty, Neil Young and of course a cinematic Springsteen at his mid-70's peak but its done so with a precision formula that delivers triumphant cocktail of searing guitars, total vocal commitment and punk-edged rock and roll.  In their current state they are difficult to pigeon-hole; awkwardly sitting somewhere between mainstream Killers/Kings of Leon (but crucially lacking that killer novelty breakthrough hit (see ‘Sex On Fire’ or ‘Mr Brightside’) the spotty teenager pop punk of Blink 182 with a sizable chunk of Pearl Jam/Counting Crows for good measure.

Opening track 'Mae' is a delightful surprise. The atmosphere building tempo and chiming guitars married with Brian's gut-wrenching growl conjure a U2-esque start that elevates its standing when carefully segued into the blitz of signature tune and fan favourite '59 Sound'.  ‘Old White Lincoln’ with its throbbing opening bass and pealing guitars sets up another deafening sing-a-long, surprising given the song’s fast paced lyrics but testament to the devotion in front of them.  New anthem ‘45’ sounds fantastic live, another up-tempo slice of 50’s America with strong harmonies; a power pop master-class. 

Dave Hause eventually joins the band for a rip-roaring ‘American Slang’, an almost cheesy chunk of Americana complete with trademark opening guitar solo from Alex Rosamilia. ‘Mulholland Drive’ another new one is greeted like an extra bank holiday.  Typical of much of the new album there is a brutal honesty and lyrical fear leaving Fallon utterly engaging as ever upon the song’s chorus; ‘I would just die if you ever took your love away’.  The band sound expectantly tight after a lengthy European tour however the usual Fallon banter is rationed tonight, perhaps the band tiring slightly from after an arduous year of writing and touring. It doesn’t affect the energetic ‘Howl’; the band’s own ‘Song 2’ is a joy to a leaping crowd with sprawling arms and aggressive finger thrusting.

Moving through punk oldie ‘Wooderson’ and ill-advised Nirvana cover ‘Sliver’, the band change tack for the ‘Queen of Lower Chelsea’, a gospel tinged soul paean most likely written for Fallon’s wife Hollie.  Although the delirious pogo-ing has subsided it is clear that the band is still able to enchant on a track that threatens to alienate the NME/Kerrang clan.  EP track ‘Blue Jeans and White T-Shirts’ brings the biggest cheer of the night.  A delicate acoustic tale in a Green Day ‘Time of your Life’ mould that gives further insight on the band’s origins and proud heritage, husky vocals talking wistfully of sleeping on beaches and listening to old records meet with haunting guitar strains.  The checked shirts grab their partners.

The band finishes on the majestic ‘Great Expectations’ prompting a spontaneous chant of ‘oh sha la la oh sha la la, listen honey here comes your man’ from not yet played new single ‘Here Comes My Man’.  Further proof that the new record is going down well in the UK and that the band are breaking new ground.  Fallon comes out from behind the curtain beaming and the band duly delivers.  ‘1930’ is another surprise for the hardcore fans with its rough punk edge fitting neatly aside usual closer ‘Backseat’; a clear favourite that ascends to greatness with the aid of keen hand-clapping and honest guitars. 

It’s a superb end to their final UK gig.  Fallon learning how to be a rock star, is as unassuming and humble as ever, clearly the upward curve that the band are experiencing still leaving them surprised and bewildered.  With the quality of the songs and live performances however, it is obvious to the 3,000 capacity sell-out crowd that the band’s star is justifiably in the ascendency.

Best Tracks - Watch online through link below:

Gaslight Anthem - Blue Jeans and White T-Shirts
Gaslight Anthem - 59 Sound

Setlist:

1. Mae
2. The '59 Sound
3. Old White Lincoln
4. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
5. Boomboxes and Dictionaries
6. 45
7. Mulholland Drive
8. Angry Johnny and the Radio
9. Bon Iver duriSeñor and the Queen
10. American Slang
11. Too Much Blood
12. Howl
13. Wooderson
14. Sliver (Nirvana cover)
15. The Queen of Lower Chelsea
16. The Patient Ferris Wheel
17. Blue Dahlia
18. Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
19. Great Expectations

Encore:

20. She Loves You
21. Here Comes My Man
22. 1930
23. The Backseat

Mike Ward (left), Alex Rosamilia, Guitarist (mid), Mike Harley (right)