Saturday night saw The Hi-Fi packed with a diverse flock, all eager to get their rock out with Band Of Skulls.
The crowd initially seemed low key and mellow, and politely mumbled their way through a long and thorough sound check, but erupted into frantic applause and rock and roll hollering as soon as the band emerged. Band Of Skulls took this as their cue and launched straight into a massive rendition of ‘Asleep At The Wheel’ that got the crowd fired up and singing along.
The band packed a lot into a two hour gig. The setlist included many songs from their new album, ‘Himalayan’, but was peppered with lots of old favourites finishing on a high note with ‘Hollywood Bowl’. The crowd had not had their fill and screamed and stomped for more. The band were kind enough to oblige, slamming out crowd pleasing numbers ‘Sweet Sour’ and ‘Light Of The Morning’. Drummer Matt Hayward refused to leave the stage inspiring the other band members into a frenzy inducing rendition of ‘Death By Diamonds And Pearls’.
In this era of over-produced music, there is something wonderful about a three-piece rock band. Raw, loose and wild. But you can't for a moment confuse this simplicity with lack of talent. With splinters flying from Matt's drumsticks, bold riffs and vocals from Russell Marsden, and Emma Richardson's strong bass and vocals tying it together, this loose sound comes from a very tight act.
