Frightened Rabbit - O2 Academy Brixton, London - November 8 2013 (Live Review)
Monday, 11 November 2013
Written by Ryan Crittenden
Striding onstage with his bandmates, to a huge ovation from a lively sold-out crowd, Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison said: “Being a pessimistic Scotsman, you think: ‘Fuck me, I will never get to headline Brixton Academy.’”
Over the course of four albums Frightened Rabbit have garnered a cult following but their latest record, ‘Pedestrian Verse’, which was released earlier this year, found many critics finally agreeing with their diehard fans: the Scottish outfit had come of age.
Kicking off with Holy, a song from the new album, the great crowd reaction was maintained throughout the 20 song set, leading to pride and no little bewilderment on the faces of Hutchison, Grant Hutchison, Billy Kennedy, Andy Monaghan and Gordon Skene.
Drawing on material from all four albums, the five-piece barely seemed to break sweat as they rattled through the songs. The dark and sinister feeling that shrouds the band, and the nature of their music, was in complete contrast to the words of happiness and thanks Hutchison offered up.
Despite the raw passion flooding out of Hutchison, though, something was missing. Certain songs ran together and while there was great participation from large parts of the venue, in particular during State Hospital and Head Rolls Off, portions of the audience still looked lost.
A brave attempt by Hutchison to perform Floating The Forth fully acoustic and without a microphone was a special touch, but in a venue of this size and on a Friday night in London, the dickheads will always prevail. Visibly stunned by the effort, he nevertheless proclaimed: "That’s the best fucking moment of my life."
There is no denying the talent of the band or the fantastic songwriting of Hutchison though, and with their large following they now have the potential to go further and join the ranks of the elite. But, unless you are a fan who really “gets it”, apparently the appeal of Frightened Rabbit may well be lost in translation.
Mon November 11th 2013 - BIRMINGHAM The Institute
Tue November 12th 2013 - SHEFFIELD Leadmill
Thu November 14th 2013 - DUBLIN Olympia Theatre
Fri November 15th 2013 - BELFAST Mandela Hall
Sat November 16th 2013 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Sun November 17th 2013 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
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