Young Guns / Holding Absence / Beyond Recall
Southampton – Engine rooms – 21/09/17
Beginning the night were Bristol’s own Beyond Recall who with their swiftly growing fan base and catchy alternative rock had the audience captivated. Moving through a series of tracks from both their EPs The Mix Tape and Selfish Scars, even throwing in a cover of Flo Rida’s Low, this band had a little bit of everything to show.
Next to the stage were Holding Absence, a band that you can’t really escape hearing about on the local circuit, and with good reason. Beginning their set with an ambient introduction and having brought out a few light bulbs and placed them around the stage, this set had already become visually and aesthetically pleasing. With tracks like Penance, Permanent and Dream Of Me in this bands arsenal, its clear to see why such hype has surrounded them and it’s honestly just a waiting game until they headline venues like this themselves.
Finally the anticipated moment arrived and the Young Guns guys hit the stage to massive cheers from the crowd. Bounding through a stream of hits including In The Night, Weight Of The World and Echoes, there was a bit of everything for old and new fans alike. The band even whipped out a cover of The Foo Fighters classic My Hero which went down well with a massive sing-a-long, prompting the crowd to ask for more covers which led to an impromptu rendition of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up. Throughout the performance the band showed why they’ve had the staying power they do, the showmanship on display is top notch and they don’t miss a beat. With tracks like Bones and I Want Out being saved till last, the band give it all, right to the end, and there definitely wasn’t a lull in the set. The only sour note of tonight is that the band were slightly delayed in hitting the stage, for a first night of tour, it’s been by all accounts a huge success for all acts.
Review & Photos: Jade Falconer photography
