Biffy Clyro Gig Review
15 February 2008
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With their album voted Kerrang’s best of 2007 and commercial success adorned on these Scots from every angle, Biffy Clyro’s set at our very own 53 Degrees was much anticipated and much in demand. The three-piece,compromising of vocalist Simon Neil, bassist James Johnston and drummer Ben Johnston have been formed since 1995 and to date have released four albums; Blackened Sky, The Vertigo of Bliss, Infinity Land and 2007’s pivotal record Puzzle. With most of the crowd having already met the band at the in-store HMV signing a couple of hours previous, the excitement was there to see as the first support band took centre stage, but the less said about them the better. However second support act Twin Atlantic offered an impressive account of themselves and are definitely a band to look out for.Nothing though compared to the response that three certain Scottish gentlemen received after walking onto the hallowed Preston stage. Chants of ‘Biffy,Biffy’ rang round the venue and as they launched into hit single ‘Saturday Superhouse’ the anticipation had reached fever pitch and the baying punters went wild. Followed next by the latest (and sixth) release from ‘Puzzle’, ‘Who’s Got A Match’ saw an incessant drum beat coupled with Simon Neil’s crazily strong Scottish accent to create a live anthem rapturously received.
Live favourite ‘Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies’ inspired a mass clap-along for the stretched out intro before showing itself to be a monolithic beast of a song. Early signs show that Biffy’s return to Preston, after their impressive set at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, is going to be something to remember.
And whilst the setlist lay Puzzle-heavy, hardcore fans would have been happy to hear ‘Joy.Discovery.Invention’ which involved the audience roaring back ‘Take me to your blackened sky’ to the boys on stage. During the mid-set the band reverted back to old school Biffy and played a few of the great older songs. Though it seems those inside 53 Degrees weren’t as familiar nor as impressed with the majestic like of ’My Recovery Injection’.
An extraordinarily long 19 song set saw the crowd getting laboured in their response, and this is where the problem came in. We all know how enigmatic and energetic Simon Neil is as a frontman, but there wasn’t really enough interaction with the audience. Then again with songs as marvellous as ‘Now I’m Everyone’ in your arsenal it’s feasible to just let the music do the talking alone.
Leading up to the end of the band’s first set, they bellow out a near-apocalyptic version of ‘Get Fucked Stud’ that has the roof clinging onto the rest of the structure, and similarly with the hell-bound chant of ’9/15ths’.
The encore sees Biffy back in riotous form as they blast through a savage take of ‘Glitter And Trauma’ adorned with masks and set closer ‘57’ is a nod to old fans who don’t just want to hear the Puzzle songs, again.
One of the main things that marred tonight’s performance was the pedestrian response from the audience later on. Most of whom seemingly, here for the latest album alone. The venue tonight may not be quite in the same league as they have played during recent support slots with Linkin Park and particularly with Muse at Wembley, it’s still a thoroughly professional performance.
Simon Neil’s vocals holding out well throughout and Ben Johnston’s manic drumming showcase a band though not at their best, still a solid live proposition.
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