Weekly > Reviews
Biffy Clyro - Leeds 02 Academy
Since 2007’s masterpiece Puzzle had such mainstream success, this gig was always going to be a sell out. And in hindsight if it hadn’t it would have been, at best, a travesty.
I’d been aware of ‘The Biff’ since 2001, when they appeared at the foot of one of the smaller stages at Leeds Festival and their name just stuck with me. Since then they were a band that had been on the periphery of my musical taste. This was until I heard the afore-mentioned masterpiece and was completely blown away. Puzzle has – till this day – rarely departed from my car stereo.
It was my understanding that Biffy had come under a little criticism from long-standing fans for watering down their normally excellent – but heavy – in favour of offerings that were far easier on Joe Public’s ear. Certainly tracks such as Machines on the last offering had left the odd long haired mosh-veteran somewhat disgruntled, but personally I feel both Puzzle and new album Only Revolutions hit a perfect balance between “screamy shouty angry” and “awww.. nice..”.
I’d been eager to see Biffy for the past few years, as I was keen to see how Mr Neil and the Johnston twins would pull of these carefully crafted works as a live three piece. But I, along with the rest of the eagerly anticipant academy, had to wait. There were other treats in store first.
When I saw this gig listed as “Biffy Clyro + Manchester Orchestra” I simply assumed that Biffy were planning on bringing along a string section and a few horns for “Living Is A Problem” and latest single, “The Captain”. Thankfully, I was wide of the mark. Manchester Orchestra are a melodic rock 5 piece springing out of Atlanta who seemed to instantly win the crowd over with a combination of haunting vocals and aggressive melodies.
Think halfway between Arcade Fire and Nine Black Alps and you wouldn’t be far off. The set seemed to flow with ease from start to finish, and going on this performance I wouldn’t be surprised if they will be making an appearance on 2010’s festival circuit. Moving slightly away from the musical side of their show, if you do ever see them, keep an eye out for the guy on keys – he’s a spitting image for a young Daley Thompson.
Normally, I wouldn’t say that Manchester Orchestra would have been an ideal support act for a band like Biffy, however. The music did seem a bit mellow to accompany what was to follow. Then again the opening act – Leeds band Pulled Apart By Horses – compensated for this to a degree with their usual 30 minute wall of volume and screams.
Once the support acts were finished drum risers appeared, curtains were dropped, Guitars were tuned, torches were flashed, and the academy was ready for ‘the Biff’ to get there set underway. They duly obliged – and then some.
The set opened with the first single from the new album, That Golden Rule which soon blew any cobwebs out, followed by two of the highlights from Puzzle – the orchestral Living Is A Problem.. and immensely catchy A Whole Child Ago. Three amazing songs delivered with power, aggression and finesse. Not a bad benchmark to lay.
The bulk of the set was the expected variety of radio-friendly hits, new material and old classics, all delivered with an unparalleled energy. They weren’t so much performed and observed, more forcibly delivered. Thrust upon the admiring onlookers with intensity, which was duly received. The performance as a whole was extremely tightly knit. For a band that’s been together for nearly 15 years, I guess it isn’t that surprising – Quite how Simon Neil manages to play such complex guitar riffs with such ease whilst throwing himself about almost seems nonchalant.
What seems even more impressive than the intensity of the performance or the calibre of material is how it is delivered by only three voices, two guitars and a drum kit (with the exception of Mountains and Born On A Horse, where there’s a gent off stage on keys). It seems pretty rare these days to see a three piece – even Greenday have recruited a second guitarist for live shows. So to deliver such an impress and diverse sound with three people deserves significant credit. Not only are Neil and the Johnston’s accomplished musicians, but they really know how to bellow out a vocal, too.
- Biffy Clyro
- Leeds 02 Academy (6th November 2009)
- Category: Live
- Label: 14th Floor Records
- Support: Manchester Orchestra + Pulled Apart By Horses
- Reviewed by: Danny Payne
- Published on: 18 Nov 2009
- Photography by: Danny Payne Photography
- Comments: 0
- Beat Surrender Rating:
Weblinks
Add to favouritesOf the new material Bubbles was particularly impressive with an extended pounding outro, and God & Satan had the crowd swaying and cursing the smoking ban for the lack of cigarette lighters, much in the same vein as Machines. Elements of albums past Puzzle and Infinity Land were emotionally intense – euphoric energy onstage, juxtaposed with a poignant underlying context of mourning and loss which drew to a climax with the energetic Saturday Superhouse and new single The Captain, both delivered with the same level of energy that was consistent throughout. Then the lights dimmed, the band departed, and everyone waited for the encore.
At this point I’d like to call into question Mr Neil’s sanity. I’ve often suspected when seeing him interviewed in the past that he’s always seemed a bit distant. There’s a constant look in his eye that makes me think that something in there has come a little loose. This became more apparent during the slightly electronic Born on a Horse, which contained the lines “I pronounce it aluminium, cos there’s an ‘I’ between the ‘U’ and ‘M” and “I’ve never had a lover like my sister or my brother before”.
My suspicions were somewhat reaffirmed when Neil gave the microphone a delightful ‘Glasgow kiss’ halfway through Get F*cked Stud. I don’t want this to come across as a criticism – far from it. I ponder that in order to write such diverse yet compelling material, and deliver it with such animation, surely it’d help to be a little crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s a delightful chap but I suspect that he’s a little bit – just a smidge – crackers.
After a few minutes the band reappeared to deliver an eclectic encore, that nearly had the crowd tearing the roof off the old Town & Country Club. First up was the opening track from the their debut album Joy. Discovery. Invention which had the whole crowd singing along, and gave the long serving fans something to go crazy about. This was followed by the epic Semi-Mental and lighter, yearning As Dust Dances from Puzzle, leading to the big crescendo – the main reason I was there. The main reason a lot of people were there. Mountains.
The piano introduction was met by an almighty welcoming cheer, followed by the entire crowd following one of the greatest songs of the noughties word for word. It was a perfect ending to an amazing gig, that had everyone leaving with a smile on their face and the hairs on their neck locked upright.
Since 2002 when “nu-metal” died a death, heavier guitar based music has struggled to make serious headway with the masses, surrendering to its more radio-friendly winklepicker-toting cousin, provided by the likes of Razorlight and The Kooks. It’s good to see a band still fly the flag of music with grit and soul. Biffy Clyro must be crowned Kings of the three piece. ‘Mon the Biff!’
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