Tonight is a quite Friday night in Birmingham, instead of
the normal raucous atmosphere that takes the city over at a weekend, it’s quite
subdued. Maybe that’s because it’s still a week till payday, maybe it’s because
people have still, almost two months after the start of the new year, have yet
to get back into the normal swing of things, there are many reasons why it
could be quiet on the streets off Birmingham, but one thing I know for sure,
inside the Birmingham Institute it will be chaos, as Pure Love and their
legendary front man are getting ready to take to the stage, but first we have
support from Turbogeist.
Turbogeist are already on the stage as I enter the small but
busy venue. The room is already starting to sweat and the crowd are already
wrapped up the bands punky thrash sound. Singer Jimmy (I can’t find out his
surname) is taking a break from playing guitar with an arm in a sling, but it
allows him to be more active and put more energy into the performance whilst
someone else takes over the thrashing guitars.
The band play a short set of songs which go down great, the crowd is
jumping and getting crazy and the band are sounding great as the come across
the speakers. This band are one to check out in the future as they’ve got the
room ready to participate in the chaos that is Pure Love.
Pure Love take to the stage rather late, and before they
start a few members of the band come out to sound check, this is unusual as the
band normally does this earlier in the day, but as it turns out there tour bus
broke down on the way to the venue, and they’ve been sat on the motorway most
of the day waiting for repairs, they only got to the venue an hour ago, so
that’s why things are a bit delayed. But this late and quick sound check
doesn’t detract from the sound, as when they come on stage playing the first
track from their debut album Anthems, She(Makes The Devil Run Through Me, the
sound is amazing. It’s a really raw sound that only amplifies the different
styles that run through their album, with a mixture of indie/rock/punk/pop all
rolled out throughout. The crowd already
get into the mood with big inflatables floating around the crowd by the end of
second track The Hits, as guitarist Jim Carroll jumps over the small barrier
and into the crowd playing his guitar on top off a inflatable fire engine and
the sea of people. The stage is filled
with inflatables by the end of the song whilst which Frank Carter explains how
the band spent their day, before blasting into their last single Beach Of
Diamonds.
The crowd are singing all the words and love every second of
the gig, and when Frank gets to the words “Dive In Dive In” he does just that
and jumps over the barrier on the same inflatable fire truck and surfs on the
crowd, not only does he crowd surf but he manages to get the crowd to help him
do a handstand on top of them, making for a unique sight as a heavily tattooed
man floats with his feet in the air across a room off people, whilst still
singing along. When the song comes to an
end, Frank tells the crowd “I don’t understand, why do people always feel the
need to pat me on the back when I come into the crowd” before saying “But where
all here for some fun, so do enjoy, we like pits and moshing, but we don’t want
any of this hard-core hero shite, look after each other as it’s all about Pure
Love!” Frank stays in the crowd as the
band starts Anthem, and by the end of the song he’s made his way to the bar at
the back of the room and is singing on top of it, whilst having a few drinks.
He asks a member of the crowd to help him out, and he jumps on his shoulders
and starts making his way to the back to the stage whilst singing Bury My
Bones.
Pure Love continue their set by playing Burning Love, a
cover of Teenage Kicks, Handsome Devils Club, Scared To Death before bringing
the drum kit into the crowd for final song
The Riot Song, in which their drummer plays surrounded by the crowd
whilst Frank and Jim circle the room. The crowd leave the room happy and pumped
up.
It’s clear to say that every Pure Love gig is different, and
every gig is exciting, they are one of the best live bands in the country and
will always impress, and to go along with great antics and to make a great gig,
is great songs and Pure Love have a tonne of them. If you see a live band this year,
make sure it’s Pure Love!
Turbogeist 3/5
Pure Love 5/5
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