Twin Atlantic/Fighting With Wire/Spy Catcher

Joiners Arms, Southampton

Its a balmy Thursday night at The Joiners in Southampton as we are here to grace Twin Atlantic on their ”Free” Tour. But what of the supports you ask?

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First up are Watford rockers Spycatcher. They’re a 5 piece hardcore act with elements of Rock & Punk. Heavily tattooed Steve (vox) is strutting the stage with purpose while guitarist Mitch is gurning with aggression. Ali’s drums are powerful throughout what is a largely powerful set of hardcore originals. There’s a nod towards late 90’s Punkers Joyrider on the track ‘Nobody Listens’ while they humorously describe their life on the road with ‘Rock is Cursed’. Spycatcher play no nonsense Hardcore although the vocals are more melodic than screamo. Good things will follow with these guys methinks.

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Next up are Derry’s Fighting With Wire. Describing themselves as a Punk Rock band they launch into their set. Vocalist Cahir & Drummer Craig took their first steps into Rock in ‘Jetplane Landing’. This has served them well in what is now their seventh year as FWW. Their humour is tested on this crowd early on tonight with Cahir’s take on the guitar solo. He takes said instrument, puts it on the floor then proceeds to play it with his foot sliding it along the strings! He then mocks the hair-metal solo’s from years gone by, gurning as he plays. The audience responds loudly so he asks us if we wanna party, have some fun tonight? The crowd cheers loudly as they sing ‘Waste my Time with You’.

Other set highlights include ‘My Armoury’ & ‘I am Ursus’. Craigs drums are getting heavier through their set while Jamie looks on nonchalantly. Cahir tries once more to liven up the crowd with Last Chance which reminds this reviewer of Belfast punkers Co.UK before they leave us with ‘Didnt Wanna Come Back Home’. Cahir gives heartfelt thanks to the audience who respond with generous loud applause. I feel this wont be the last we see of FWW.

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So, to tonight’s headliners. Twin Atlantic are Glasgow rockers who defy pigeon-holing. They play a confident mix of original material rooted in Rock but incorporate elements of Indie, Punk & Hardcore. Tonight sees them debuting new material from their 2nd long player ‘Free’. They open with the title track & a mini mosh ensues.

Things get heavier on ‘Edit Me’ & ‘Ghost of Eddie’ before the ‘Idlewild-esque’ radio friendly ‘Lightspeed’. Sam’s vocals remain clear throughout all of their set despite the obvious heat in here, I swear this is the biggest crowd I’ve seen grace the Joiners. Craigs drums are constantly heavy while Ross (bass) is shoe-gazing most of the time. ‘Caribbean War Syndrome’ gives Sam a chance to show off some intricate chord changes while the pit is getting bigger & wilder with every song. Sam laments the ‘heat in here tonight’ but there’s no let up in the power of their delivery. ‘Old Grey Face’ allows Barry (lead) to bring out the cello before they leave us with ‘Audience & Audio’.

After 12 numbers they take a well earned break before returning for a 3 song encore. ‘Crashland’, then the brilliant ‘What is Light’ are aired before set finale ‘John Wayne’. Sam finishes his section of stringwork before putting his guitar to one side, then launches himself into this hot sweaty crowd. He is carried aloft to loud cheers from all before ‘crashlanding’ back onto the stage. When Idlewilds crown slipped a couple of years ago Twin Atlantic were there to collect. If this gig is anything to go by Twin Atlantic will need to find a bigger stage. Next big things? Already.

Setlist
1 Free
2 Edit me
3 Ghost of Eddie
4 Lightspeed
5 Caribbean War Syndrome
6 8 Days
7 Human After All
8 Yes,I was Drunk
9 Time for you to stand up
10 We Want Better,Man
11 Old Grey Face
12 Audience & audio
13 Crashland
14 What is Light?
15 John Wayne.
Videos
Twin Atlantic