Amplifier & Mojo Fury - The Duchess, York - 6th December 2011 (Live Review)
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Written by Ben Bland
There really is no end to how disappointing the British music buying public can be. After over a decade in the game, and with one of the finest double albums the world has ever seen just behind them in “The Octopus”, Amplifier are still touring the UK’s small clubs. There really is no justice.
Hopefully the same fate will not befall Mojo Fury. They are far from the most original band on the planet, but their insistent alt-rock has enough experimental tendencies to satisfy fans at the proggier end of the spectrum whilst there are also plenty of hooks to reel in those who prefer their music a little more straightforward. Seemingly on a never ending tour of everywhere, this Northern Irish quartet released a fine debut earlier this year but should produce something truly spectacular in the near future. “We Should Just Run Away” closes off their half hour support set, which is appropriate, considering that it is the most obvious anthem in their repertoire to date. Catching Mojo Fury live is something you should, and probably will do, seeing as they seemingly play every day somewhere or other.
One thing is notable about Amplifier above all other facets of this incredible band. They love what they do. Whilst it is obviously disappointing that they are not playing to huge crowds across the country, that does not stop them giving every last second of every show everything they have got. The Duchess is probably less than half full but not for a second does it matter. A band like Amplifier thrive in the live environment on the excellence of their music. They do not need gimmicks such as a light show or jumping around the stage like dervishes. Clad in their distinctive all black attire and Octopus adorned tie, from the off they set about blowing the audience’s mind with the sheer power of their music.
Opening with “Forever and More”, the closer from the recent double album, is unexpected but works well and seguing from that into first album classic “Motorhead” gets everyone in attendance quickly onside. Despite delving into their most noodly progressive territory on the likes of “Strange Seas of Thought” and “White Horses at Sea”, Amplifier retain a rare ability to hold the attention of an audience. It might be too much for some in the crowd, but the majority lap up the beguiling instrumentation and, as ever with Amplifier, delightful vocal harmonies. As tight a live band as you are ever likely to see, and as good. Amplifier really are in the form of their lives at the moment, hopefully this will earn them the venue promotion they richly deserve. If not, then at least those gathered here are amongst the lucky ones.
Mojo Fury tour with InMe next year. The album “Visiting Hours of a Travelling Circus” is out now.
Amplifier’s “The Octopus” is out now.
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One thing is notable about Amplifier above all other facets of this incredible band. They love what they do. Whilst it is obviously disappointing that they are not playing to huge crowds across the country, that does not stop them giving every last second of every show everything they have got. The Duchess is probably less than half full but not for a second does it matter. A band like Amplifier thrive in the live environment on the excellence of their music. They do not need gimmicks such as a light show or jumping around the stage like dervishes. Clad in their distinctive all black attire and Octopus adorned tie, from the off they set about blowing the audience’s mind with the sheer power of their music.
