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First the support act - Seafood........Seafood! one of the best bands around at the moment. I really had no idea that they were playing, so make way for one old smiley git wandering around with fists clenched. (ok, ok, off to the psychiatric ward). The band get down to some serious noise mashing but the crowd isn't having any of it. Seems all they want to see is Idlewild and nothing else! Open your ears you youngsters!...this band have some seriously excellent tunes up their sleeve if you care to listen. New songs and old favourites are belted out without a hitch....seems like the band have finally shaken off the 'equipment going wrong' mode, and can now concentrate on sorting the sounds. Polite applause ends every song - maybe the crowd are listening after all. We are told a couple of times about a forthcoming debut album...but they told us that six months ago. Sort it guys and get noticed!! Idlewild walk on stage and the place goes nuts....where did all these people come from? Roddy is dressed in a nice suit jacket, (thirty quid, he tells us), but that only lasts for two songs, before sweat starts dripping from the ceiling. Rod and Bob have certainly honed the art of jumping and thrashing around while still playing the correct notes. A couple of new tunes, including the next single 'Little Discourage', and the best of the oldies are belted out, and the kids love every second of it. Either Roddy has found a pair of trousers that fit, or he's put on some weight...no more hitching them up every 2 minutes!! Funniest moment.....Bob says something to Colin then laughs out very loudly...but the mic picks it all up...he turns around and a couple of hundred people are staring at him...WHAT??!! he says, pulling a stupid face - I suppose you had to be there! They end with a very cut short version of 'You Just Have to be Who You Are'. Roddy tells us that this is probably the last time they will end with this trademark end of the set song. This band are getting set for greater things, rest assured. skippy Before this gig, I'd only heard one song by Seafood so didn't really know what to expect. They opened with a really quiet, dull song which seemed to go on forever. Fortunately this was not in any way representative. Half way through the set and the crowd were starting to look interested, then came 'Porchlight'. I can't think of enough positive words to describe this song, suffice to say that if you've heard it and don't like it there's something wrong with your hearing. More songs from their forthcoming debut album are played, amongst which comes 'Folk Song Crisis' which to quote David [vocals/guitar] "is two songs for the price of one, and goes on for ages." Judging by the first song tonight, long songs wouldn't seem to be their strong point, but this is amazing. The sheer energy put into playing the loud bits is astounding, and two of the band end up lying on the floor towards the end of the song. Class. The next big thing? Hopefully... This was also my first Idlewild gig, though I had a fair idea of how ridiculous the level of insanity and ferocity amongst the crowd and the band would be. Rod literally attacked his guitar throughout the set, and I'm amazed that the leads all stayed in place. We were treated to several new songs which seemed to be more tuneful and a (tiny) bit less frantic than their earlier offerings. All of the more recent singles were played, with the crowd becoming overexcited at the sound of the opening chords to 'When I Argue I See Shapes'. The band don't seem to be particularly talkative - between several songs, instead of talking to the crowd, Roddy is on all fours with his forehead to the stage. Ric Melia |