Beartooth + Vanna + Trash Boat @ O2 Institute. 11th December, 2016
Following the release of their debut album “Disgusting” in 2014, American hardcore band Beartooth have been taking the UK by storm. Appearing at festivals such as Reading and Leads and headlining an incredible tour in 2015, the lads are back for another round following the release of their second studio album Aggressive in June ’16. “Aggressive” was welcomed as a solid second album, reaching No.2 in the UK Rock Charts, with fans itching for another chance to see them perform again.
Trash Boat is first to open the night up. St Albans’ contribution to Pop Punk, they’ve already played the likes of 2000 Trees Festival, Reading and Leeds Festival and Download Festival, and definitely proven themselves in the scene, but having seen them before at smaller venues I wondered if they could still bring the force I know them for. But worry not, as bursting with energy and confidence they did an incredible job of pumping up the crowd. Kicking off the night with “How Selfish I Seem” the second track from their recently released debut album, “Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through” they quickly have the crowd on their side, passionately pointing their fingers and screaming the lyrics back to the band. Asking the crowd how many had seen them before, although they was a fair few hands up from dedicated fans, it was the first time for a lot of people and I am sure from that solid performance, they won over a number of new fans. Announcing plans for a headline tour in the coming year, Trash Boat are definitely another band to keep an eye on.
Next to grace the stage are Massachusetts answer to the post-hardcore scene, Vanna. They deliver a great balanced set of raw, groovy down-tuned hardcore with occasional pop-punk choruses for the crowd to weigh in on and sing along to. Lead singer Davey Muise told the crowd at the beginning of their set that they should “utilize every inch of this room,” no easy act in this sold out venue of around 1500 people. But they gave it a good go, willing them to get their hands up in the air, move around and get the pit fired up and ready for Beartooth. Constantly bobbing and jumping around the stage, Muise seemed truly in his element with stamina unrivalled by anything I’ve seen before. They’ve definitely welcomed me as a fan after their set tonight.
Darkness filled the the room, the moment this packed out room had come for. The squeal of guitar vibrated around the room followed by the screams of “I want free, I want change, I want it written on my grave” as they opened with “Burnout”, and with it the crowd exploded, opening the pits, jumping up and down, screaming along, clearly setting the mood for the entire show. Entering, perfectly, into “Aggressive”, the album’s self-titled track, the crowd is just in a frenzy, loving every second. Transitioning between tracks from their latest release “Aggressive” and “Disgusting”, the set list welcomes old fans and new, packed with strong hits such as “Hated”, “Beaten in Lips” and “In Between”.
People crowd surfed to every song they put out, to the delight of vocalist Caleb Shomo and his trademark thirst for as much crowd participation as possible. “The Lines” is another song that stands out when played, with the debut single from their first record “Disgusting” really highlighting Shomo’s vocals for their gritty, raw emotion and the atmosphere was on fire. Although a good few of Beartooths songs are quite deep, being about the sobering topic of depression, these are far from depressing, self pitying songs – if anything they are inspirational and uplifting songs that fill you with confidence and determination.
That comes across tonight; everyone in the crowd is there, in the palm of their hands tonight, convincing the crowd to get involved, make new friends and to get on each other’s shoulders. If music really is about unifying people, Beartooth showcase this perfectly. Overflowing with energy and passion there was no sense of fatigue as the night continued, if anything, both band and crowd could have easily kept it going, but all good things must come to an end. Beartooth ended their set with “King of Anything” with help from the audience and “Body Bag” which had the room filled with energy again with the crowd crying out, “One life and one decision, make sure it ends with you still living.”
Beartooth Setlist;
Burnout, Aggressive, Beaten In Lips, Dead, Sick of Me, Fair Weather Friend, Hated, The Lines, I Have a Problem, Always Dead, Rock is Dead, In Between. Encore; King of Anything, Body Bag.
Reviewer – Jordan Wynn
Photographer – Steve Kilmister