Feeder @ O2 Academy, 14 March 2018
After apparently winning a competition with Kerrang! to support Feeder, pop punk band Sweet Little Machine took to a steadily filling O2 Academy Birmingham last night to perform a high energy and interactive set.
When described as pop punk, that’s much more in a Green Day and Anti Flag direction than As It Is and Neck Deep, with the live show full of many a sing along moments and running frantically across the stage. Despite an initially reserved reception, the band certainly converted some members of the crowd throughout their half an hour set and will certainly be welcomed back to Birmingham in the near future.
Following a video montage of the bands various album covers throughout the years, Feeder took to the stage to perform a two hour set spanning their twenty five year career backed by an impressive light and visual show that’s pretty rare for a venue of the Academy’s size.
Opening with ‘Feeling A Moment’, set highlights included ‘Lost & Found’, ‘Come Back Around’ as well as a touching story regarding the writing process behind ‘High’ where by lead vocalist Grant’s now wife cried when she first heard it as she knew it was going to be such a hit. For me it proved to be the standout moment of the evening.
For a lengthy two hour set it’s obvious that you should come out all guns blaring, dip the tempo in the middle and then pick it back up at the end. However, for tonight’s show the dip was a little too long lasting, with various early cuts and slower songs taking some of the momentum away for the casual fan.
But of course all that’s forgotten when ‘Buck Rodgers’ and ‘Just A Day’ bring the evening to a close in storming fashion. Musically the band still sound as youthful and urgent as ever, with both Grant and bassist Taka engaging and performing to the wilful crowd.
Feeder are much like an old friend that you don’t think about or contact very often, but when you meet it’s like no time has passed at all. And your friend might even have a brand new car.
Reviewer: Dan Earl
Photographer: Chris Bowley