With a new year and, consequentially, a fresh decade on the horizon there was still time for VivaLaScene to squeeze one last show into 2009 - Broadway Calls at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. Certainly no strangers to the UK scene, this was the Oregon trio's third time over here this year having previously supported Alkaline Trio and The Offspring respectively, as well as playing both the Reading and Leeds festivals during the summer. This particular run of shows saw them appear in support of Set Your Goals, playing to a string to sold-out venues around the country.

Taking shelter from the biting winter chill that gripped the city of Glasgow, a capacity crowd packed into the intimate King Tuts ahead of tonight's performance. However what they may have boasted in quantity the crowd certainly lacked in the quality of their response to the band's appearance this evening. It was an apathy that was definitely not shared by the fans on the barrier, who sang back Broadway Calls' lyrics at the top of their lungs, with the passion to which the songs lend themselves to so well. However the slightly underwhelming response by the crowd was in no way a reflection on the band, who played a raw, energetic set that showcased the best songs from their two full-length albums.

Particular highlights included "Back To Oregon", "Call It Off" and the inspiring "Basement Royalty." The set concluded with the anthemic "To The Sheets", with the shouting lyrics "I'm just a kid with a song in my head/ with your face in my heart/what could be better than this?" still ringing in the minds of everyone long after the band had left the stage. Noisy and unavoidable, Broadway Calls have the talent and dedication to take over the world, so you better stay paying attention.

-- Lucy

Elliot Minor
The Picturehouse, Edinburgh
3^rd November 2009

HMV Picture House ... best gig venue in Edinburgh? Probably.

Tonight's proceedings kicked off with South London four-piece, Franko, whose arrival on the stage was greeted with deafening screams. This initially puzzled VLS, until we realised that their vocalist, Tommy Bastow, is also an actor who has appeared in, among other things, the film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and the Robin Hood TV series.

From the get-go Tommy had the audience jumping and clapping along to the band's brand of moody alternative rock. The highlight of their set was their performance of 'Night Time', which is currently available as a single from iTunes.  

As this was the final evening of the UK mainland tour, there was also a non-musical highlight mid-set when the members of Elliot Minor stormed the stage. High jinks ensued including EM's Alex Davies jumping on Tommy's back.

Next up was Me Vs Hero, a pop-punk quintet from Blackpool. Gang vocals and infectious choruses were in abundance here, but although this was a high energy set from the start with vocalist Sam Thompson going down to the barrier on the very first song, the sound was rather muddled throughout. However this did not deter the audience from responding enthusiastically to the band's music.

There was, of course, another mid-set interruption from Elliot Minor...

If Elliot Minor were disappointed in the number of people who had turned up for this evening's show, there was no obvious sign of it as they took to the stage and launched into 'Shivers' from their recently released sophomore album, 'Solaris'. This earned them an immediate and positive response from the audience, whose cheers sounded as if they came from a crowd at least three times larger.

Barely stopping for breath, the band then played fan-favourite 'Jessica', one of the singles from their self-titled debut. After another older song, 'Running Away', we were treated to three tracks from 'Solaris'. 'Electric High', 'The Dancer' and 'I Believe' all benefited from having the album's orchestral embellishments stripped away, giving the songs the sense of urgency they had previously lacked. The echoing guitar intro of 'Electric High', which was released as a single in October, is a particularly memorable one and is guaranteed to still be playing in your head days later.

Their best selling single so far, 'Still Figuring Out', followed and heralded the third and final stage invasion of the night as both support bands' members ran around draping Elliot Minor with loo rolls and sprinkling them with flour.

Eventually, order was restored and the band were able to continue their set which included 'Discover', another gem from the new album that starts quietly and builds up to a huge chorus, and 'Tethered' that was co-written by Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin.

Crowd-pleaser 'Parallel Worlds' was the penultimate song tonight. It's one that sums up the band's music pretty well, pop rock with classical flourishes and the kind of guitar shredding that you would more likely expect to find at an Avenged Sevenfold or Dragonforce gig.

The plaintive 'Better Than The Courtroom' brought the hour long, fourteen song set to an end. There was no encore. But, for the fans who didn't rush off as soon as the lights went up, there was the bonus of the band members coming out into the hall to sign autographs and pose for pictures instead.

So, if you enjoy consummate musicianship, impeccable harmonies and anthemic choruses be sure to check out Elliot Minor the next time they come to a town near you.

-- Kat

'Solaris' is available now through Repossession Records.

Reunion shows seem to have become a regular occurrence within 'the scene' lately, so when Mest front man Tony Lovato decided to start a new band, he took the easiest and smartest route to promote them- touring under his old band's name with the entirely new cast of musicians behind him. Even at the peak of their career Mest never toured Australia, so the promise of a set filled with familiar songs that Aussie's had never seen live, drew in a decent crowd. Eager for some nostalgia and fun from a time when pop-punk was not a dirty word and the Madden twins weren't in women's magazines for the girls they were dating, people filed in and lined the bar, a constant murmur of 'this is so 2005' filling the air between the support acts.

The show opened enthusiastically with three Adelaide natives- Taken By Chance, Enola's Secret and Capulet.
Varied musically, the latter of the three bands are one of the most exciting things going on in Adelaide's local music scene right now. Capulet's lead singer Tim Bartlet is unassuming but vocally powerful. Though the room was still filling, they played an entertaining set for their already solid fans in the front row and by the time they closed with their well known 'Scratching the Walls' they had earned the interest of the entire room. It's easy to predict that the more they carve out their own niche and find their own direction, the bigger they'll get.
 
Gold Coast Boys Sleepers took the evening in a slightly more electronic direction, and their invitation to do the entire tour made sense after witnessing their obviously well established fan base. Musically, they were tight, but the eight song set lacked many ups and downs, split up in the middle with an unexpected cover of Sam Sparrow's Black and Gold that unfortunately didn't reach the full potential of a dance floor filler like the original.

When Mest finally hit the stage and broke their silence with 'Untill I Met You', the kids filling the Adelaide Unibar broke out in a simultaneous grin. Gone was the disappointment about missing band members as the floor broke into a pit of dancing, jumping and throwing friends around in a fashion as childish and carefree as the lyrics to the songs. With relentless energy, Tony and his companions powered through a set list of old favourites peppered with numbers from their new project 'Kisses For Kings'. During 2005's well known single 'Jaded' the chorus of voices from the congregation of kids was overwhelming, a blatant reminder of patient fans who had finally quenched their thirst for music they adored. for the encore, the demanding and rowdy crowd was rewarded with 'Rooftops' and Mest's eight year old pop-punk masterpiece 'Cadillac' which was infused with 50 Cent's 'In Da Club'. The floor shook and hands were raised in a salute to the happy memories the songs brought back with them along with the promise of another tour fronted by Mister Lovato.. with a lot more new material this time.

--Bella

The Blackout  
King Tuts, Glasgow
18^th November 2009

To honour the release of single I Don't Care (This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things) Welsh favourites, The Blackout announced a series of signings in cities around the UK. Whilst in Glasgow the band stopped by King Tut's Wah Wah Hut to play a one off, intimate gig in one of the smallest venues they've headlined in a good few years.

 Having spent the part of the summer across the pond, playing The Vans Warped Tour, an experience that smaller British bands often find tough, it was clear from the moment The Blackout burst onto the tiny Tut's stage that they were happy to be back in the UK, in front of dedicated fans, many of whom had followed the band's progress from day one. Refreshed, enthused and almost bursting with energy, vocalist Sean Smith was almost climbing the walls and swinging from the rafters as he and his band mates thrashed their way through the lengthy set.

What the intimate crowd lacked in quantity tonight, they more than made up for in quality - in terms of both noisy appreciation and full out dancing. Song wise, the set was made up of everything a The Blackout fan could wish for. The end of Save Our Selves (The Warning) saw the crowd woahhhhh-ing their hearts out, producing a noise level an audience twice their size would have been proud of. This overwhelming response seemed to catch the band by surprise at times, before enticing them into injecting even more energy and spirit into their performance. The teasing, whispered chant in the intro of Children Of The Night spread like wildfire, before exploding into a mash-up of hair and thrashing circle pits.

If there was one important lesson to be learned from tonight's show it was that you can get away with saying almost anything on stage if you have a Welsh accent. It was a lesson that Sean Smith and Gavin Butler learned quickly and proceeded to take full advantage of all evening, exchanging insults and cheeky banter with the crowd in between songs.  Nicknaming the evening 'Some Songs and Crap Jokes with The Blackout', the two front men baiting the audience with jibes about Scoths (Scottish Goths), X Factor and the undeniable fact that England is better than Scotland (Sean's words, not ours). If the informal setting wasn't enough to set this evening apart from a run of the mill gig, the comradery between the band and their fans certainly was, adding a special edge to the already electric atmosphere.

Whilst the fans may have been taking tonight's show as a chance to see their favourite band up close and personal, The Blackout used the last half hour of their set to practice some acoustic songs, in preparation for a one-off acoustic gig in London later in the week. Despite the bravado ("If I hit a bad note...it's because I meant to, alright?") this was clearly a task they were slightly nervous about, yet the end product was nothing short of beautiful. Top Of The World was the highlight of the three songs converted into acoustic format, taking on a completely different feel from the heavy electric rendition that had featured earlier in the evening.

With The Blackout set to co-headline the Kerrang! Relentless Tour in early 2010, the next time they appear in Glasgow will be on the stage of the impassive O2 Academy, playing to a much larger crowd. Whilst it's a crowd they undoubtedly deserve, nothing quite beats the feel of a smaller venue and tonight's performance was a perfect example of this. Face melting, body rocking and at times downright hilarious, The Blackout are fast on the way to world domination and if you're not on board then you better get out of the way.

 --Lucy

 Single 'I Don't Care (This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things) and album 'The Best In Town' are both available now.  The Blackout will tour the country in Jen/Feb with All Time Low, Young Guns & My Passion as part of the Kerrang! Relentless Tour.  For full dates and ticket info check out myspace.com/theblackout.

Rise Against
Barrowlands, Glasgow
17^th November 2009  

Often billed as the forerunners in today's contemporary punk-rock scene, Chicagoan favourites Rise Against were in top form when they headlined The Barrowlands Ballroom in Glasgow on Tuesday night. Opening their set with Collapse (Post Amerika), Tim McIlrath and Co. whipped the capacity crowd into a frenzy of hair, bodies and sheer noise. Fists of defiance punctured the air and chants of 'Rise!Rise!Rise' echoed throughout the room as the band stormed though their extensive set list, showcasing material from as far back as 2004's Siren Song Of The Counter Culture. 

Knockout track Re-Education Through Labour is a prime example of the anti-authoritarian social commentary that has propelled Rise Against to where they are today and was a definite highlight in tonight's set. The anthemic Audience of One perhaps produced the best reaction from the crowd, many of whom took to the shoulders of their friends to scream the lyrics back to the band. Ending the night with Ready To Fall, Rise Against proved tonight that they truly are modern day punk-rock champions. Songs with a purpose and an un-ignorable stage presence to boot, Rise Against truly are a band to believe in.

 --Lucy

Rise Agains't latest album 'Appeal To Reason' is available now.  For more details and upcoming tour dates visit myspace.com/riseagainst.

My Passion
Cathouse, Glasgow
28^th October 2009

There are so many generic and over-used labels floating around in today's music scene that nearly every new band that emerges from the woodwork has a pre-determined niche in the market to fill. Every now and then, however, a band slips through the net woven by these blurred definitions and carves out their own unique path on the musical map. My Passion is one of these bands.

A respectable crowd had gathered in The Cathouse ahead of the quartet's Scottish stop of their headline UK tour. With the smoke-filled stage bathed in an eerie green light the room had begun to resemble the set of a low-budget horror film and as the band burst into the stage in a flurry of hair dye and eye make up the night could easily have been written off as one to forget. However what resulted was quite the opposite. Fusing rock, metal, screamo and even electro dance synths together into a strangely intriguing lightning bolt of noise, My Passion delivered a fast-paced and tightly structured performance. Despite having only released their debut album back in May, the band has already won over a cult following of dedicated fans due to an intense touring schedule and sheer hard work. As crowds gathered at the My Passion Fashion merch table after the show, eager for autographs and pictures with their new found idols, it wasn't hard to picture this as the last time this young band will be playing such an intimate venue. After all, My Passion are set to play sold out Academy venues across the UK early next year as part of the Kerrang! Relentless Tour - shows that will see them playing to some of the biggest crowds of their career.

My Passion are ready to conquer world - whether the world is ready or not is another question altogether.

--Lucy

My Passion will be appearing on the Kerrang! Relentless Tour 2010.  Check out myspace.com/mypassion for dates and ticket info. 'Corporate Flesh Party' is available now.

All American Rejects
Barrowlands, Glasgow
18^th October 2009

Anyone keeping up with All American Rejects over the past few weeks will know all too well that the band had to drop off the blink-182 reunion tour as a result of Tyson Ritter's infected knee.  Still after some much needed rest (and an IV pumping drugs straight into Ritter's bloodstream), The Reject's were back on UK soil and ready to entertain the masses.

Currently on a headline tour that had already seen Oklahoma's finest play dates across the UK, there was no doubt that they saved the very best 'till last in the form of a sold-out Glasgow show.  Having sported a different costume on every night of the tour so far, Ritter proclaimed tonight 'clown night' and honoured the event with face paint, rainbow-striped braces and copious amounts of dazzling body glitter (Check out our gallery of live shots from the show to see for yourself!).  Indeed Ritter was the life and soul of party and, aside from a rather fetching silver cane, showed no sign of the leg injury which had hindered him all but a few weeks ago.

The show was kicked off to an explosive start with 'Move Along' and from there on in The Rejects knocked out a killer performance, bound up with a well-honed, electrifying stage presence.  Guitarist Mike Kennerty leapt about the stage like a man possessed, whilst Ritter had the crowd in the palm of his charismatic hand from the off. Undoubtedly one of the best front men around today, he has a commanding stage presence that is often envied yet rarely replicated.  Interacting with the crowd like a pro, he switched effortlessly from goading them into roaring like animals, to worrying about the life of a young fan being pulled from the crowd.

Musically, the night could not be faulted and The Reject's delivered a set jam-packed with old and new favourites.  'Dirty Little Secret', 'Swing Swing' and 'It Ends Tonight' were all predictably brilliant whilst mega-hit 'Gives You Hell' provided an explosive finale to a fantastic evening.

A night out at an All American Reject's show is always a night well spent - so get down the front and get involved the next time they're in a town near you!
 

--Lucy

Head over to myspace.com/allamericanrejects for upcoming tour dates and to check out the new video for single 'I Wanna'.

Bowling For Soup
O2 Academy, Glasgow
17^th October 2009

For many Bowling For Soup are a band that need little to no introduction but for those of who you have been living in a cave for the last nine years then perhaps it's best to let vocalist Jaret Reddick fill you in: "Bowling For Soup are the best rock and roll band on the planet."

It was with this unashamedly tongue-in-cheek statement that Bowling For Soup kicked off their show - the first of their headline 'Party In Your Pants' tour - in Glasgow on Saturday night.  What followed was a performance packed with cheeky banter, rocking songs...and beer. Lots of beer.  From the moment the Texan quartet stepped on stage and launched into 'The Bitch Song', it was clear that they were intent on having nothing short of a damn good time.  Their set was peppered with explosions of comedy, with audience interaction and straight up school-boy humour featuring heavily alongside the scores of trademark tunes that have scored Bowling For Soup legions of loyal fans.  Reddick's on-stage personality is to be admired as he cheekily mocked both his band mates and the crowd before him. However Bowling For Soup's refusal to take anything (including themselves) seriously didn't hinder their performance in the slightest - in fact quite the opposite.  Skits such as a BFS style 'Beer Break' and a media-friendly 'Photo Op' were light hearted highlights and brought an unique twist to the evening's proceeding.

Song-wise the set list was spot on, with old favourites 'Punk Rock 101' and 'Almost' getting an airing alongside newer material from 'Sorry For Partyin'', the band's tenth studio album.  Lead single 'My Wena' was a distinct hit with the crowd as was 'Hooray For Beer', an anthemic ode to everyone's favourite beverage.   A punk rock cover of Katy Perry's 'Hot 'n' Cold' was brilliantly fitting in a night in which crowd sing-a-long's were to be found at every turn.

With only four minutes left before the venue's curfew the band were rushed back on stage for the final song of the evening - '1985'.  Never being one's to play by the rules, Bowling For Soup refused to hurry for anyone and instead played an extended version of their 2004 hit, which included inviting the crowd to sing the chorus in as many different ways as possible (ranging from broad Scottish accents to Mickey Mouse-esque falsettos).

All in all tonight's performance was nothing short of brilliant.  Bowling For Soup delivered one of the most genuinely entertaining performances seen in a long time.  Check them out - you'll have a blast!

-- Lucy

 Album 'Sorry For Partyin'' is out NOW! For more info and upcoming tour dates visit www.myspace.com/bowlingforsoup.

The roaring train of punk brilliance that is this year's Eastpak Antidote Tour rolled into Glasgow on Friday night to rock the 02 Academy.  Opening the four-band show (featuring Alexisonfire, Anti-Flag and Four Year Strong) were The Ghost Of A Thousand.  Whilst the task of opening for such an epic line-up may have been daunting to some, it was a job that the Brighton quintet tackled with a big slice of storming rock 'n' roll.  With bodies still streaming through the door, there was plenty of space for those huddled to the barrier to partake in some good old fashioned circle pits, whilst a steady stream of crowd surfers ensured that the security personnel earned their night's pay from the word go!

On stage the performance was just as physical with vocalist Tom Lacey jumping and kicking his way between his band members, often leaping right off the stage and into the outstretched arms of the sweaty front row.  Musically, The Ghost Of A Thousand are a storming mix of unyielding, hardcore rock riffs and screaming primal vocals that grab the listener by the throat and refuse to let go.  In a live setting the songs seem to take on a whole new life of their own, commanding the crowd to stand to attention.  With a barrage of tighter, heavier bullets at their disposal in the shape of recently released album 'New Hopes, New Demonstrations', The Ghost Of A Thousand fired out round after round of fact-melting rock to the rowdy crowd.  'Knees, Toes, Teeth' went down a treat and Lacy ended the set by venturing as far into the crowd as his mic cord would let him. A unique performance it was apparent that everyone involved tonight had a phenomenal time, marking A Ghost Of A Thousand out as ones to watch in the coming months.  Catch them live if you get the chance!

 --Lucy

 The Eastpak Antidote tour works its way across Europe for the next two months.  Check out www.myspace.com/theghostofathousand for dates.  Single 'Knees, Toes, Teeth' is released on November 9^th 2009.  Album 'New Hopes, New Demonstrations' is available now!

 

Twin Atlantic
Studio 24, Edinburgh
2^nd October 2009

A sea of bodies flooded Edinburgh's Studio 24 on Friday night, filling every corner and stairwell in a sweaty battle for a prim slot ahead of tonight's headlining act. As Queen's 'I Want To Break Free' was blasting through the PA system, the smoke machine at the side of the stage was working overtime, pumping out hordes of instant atmosphere across the crowd. Tonight was Twin Atlantic's biggest headline show outside their native Glasgow and if the deafening cheer that greeting the band onstage was anything to go by, the stage was set for a fantastic evening.

Launching straight into 'Lightspeed' from recently released mini-album 'Vivarium', Twin Atlantic immediately engaged the crowd in a rocking sing-a-long whilst sneakily exchanging glances of disbelief with each other at the sheer volume and intensity of tonight's crowd.

"Is this as weird for you as it is for us?" vocalist Sam McTrusty asked, running his hands through his hair and staring at the waves of adoration before him. "This is fucking nuts man!" he grinned, before launching into the fantastic 'Old Grey Face (And The Way Of The Magenta)', to which the crowd opened up into a mass of punching arms and screaming faces. The energy in the room was phenomenal; a sure sign that Twin Atlantic are onto something special. Gritty Scottish accents a plenty ensured that current single 'You're Turning Into John Wayne' went down a treat, whereas the acoustically-tinged 'Crashland' was hauntingly beautiful.

Overall the set was fast-paced and packed with raw, rocking talent. With the temperature rising as the hour-long performance progressed, the band became slightly less animated than usual, choosing to stage on their feet rather than fall victim to the precarious sweat-covered stage. Instead the poured everything they had into their final few songs, culminating in the brilliant 'Audience & Audio' (but not before a tiny tribute to Pink's 'So What'). As his heroes gave it their all on stage, VivaLaScene witnessed a young boy emerge from the pit and clamber towards a massive promotional poster for 'Vivarium' stuck to the wall. Proudly claiming his prize for the evening, he was soon lost back in the masses, just in time to witness McTrusty throw himself into the crowd. As security finally managed to reclaim him from the hordes of screaming fans and grabbing hands he appeared on stage bedraggled and ecstatic.

 "Last night we played in Oxford for 30 people," the singer proclaimed as he returned to the mic stand. "Tonight there's 650 folk here. Thank you for believing in our band, Edinburgh!"

 It's more than time for Twin Atlantic to start making waves outside of Glasgow and if tonight's performance is anything to go by, it won't be long until they're riding high and well on the way to world domination. Trust us; you won't want to miss a beat.

--Lucy

 'Vivarium' is available now. For more information head over to www.myspace.com/twinatlantic.

The last time All Time Low played a show in Glasgow it was on their co-headline tour with Cobra Starship and the response was as expected for two bands that had experienced little mainstream success in the UK. The venues were smaller, the crowds more intimate and the band were able to wander from bus to dressing room without being mobbed by fans.  That was back in 2008, before All Time Low completed a sold out headline tour across the USA, unleashed their third full length album 'Nothing Personal', claimed #4 on the Billboard chart and launched their bid for world domination. That was then.  This is now.

This time round All Time Low sold out nearly every date across the UK, upgraded the venues to meet demand - and then sold out every show again. The scene outside the 02 ABC ahead of doors this evening is one bordering on mass hysteria with a neon clad line of excited fans winding up the street, stretching up the hill and into the distant horizon.  Sporadic screams can be heard from time to time, as if the anticipation is almost too much for some to bear.  Through the wonders of Twitter, guitarist Jack Barakat has already informed his followers that security won't allow the band to sign outside the gig tonight, for 'safety reasons'.  You begin to wonder just whose safety is in danger.  After all, it's been almost a year and half since All Time Low were on British soil and it seems their fans are determined to enjoy every minute of it.

The task of opening tonight's show falls to The Friday Night Boys, who are playing in the UK for the first time.  Such is the enormity of the queue outside that the room is hardly a third full when the young band takes to the stage, yet they fail to let this bother them.  Everything you'd expect from the wave of pop-punk bands that are currently crashing in from the States, The Friday Night Boys answer any quandaries about lack if originality with sheer enthusiasm.  They seem genuinely thrilled to be here, and even debut 'Stupid Love Letter' on the live circuit for their Scottish fans.  As the kids pouring through the doors run to the floor in order to catch the end of the opening set it's obvious that everyone involved is having a fantastic time.  Job done, Friday Night Boys. Job done.

Next up is The Audition, who never seem to be away from the UK this year! Exploding onto the stage in a blur of hair and leather jackets they whip the crowd into a rocking frenzy.  Refusing to stand still, Danny Stevens dances about the stage with a massive grin plastered on his face the entire time.  Playing songs from their first album right the way up to their third, the band certainly deliver, much to the appreciation of the now packed hall. A definite highlight is a cover of Katy Perry's 'Hot 'n' Cold' which sees the entire hall erupt into a mass of singing and dancing. The final song of the evening sees a reappearance of everyone's favourite Friday Night Boy, Andrew Goldstein, who joins Danny on vocal duty for the final bridge or so.   If anyone ever needed proof that Glasgow crowds really do know how to have a good time it was to come tonight. Towards the end of the song Danny & Andrew demanded a cheer of "FUCK YEAH!" which resulted in a deafening scream from the crowd and a stunned look from both singers. This Glasgow crowd were certainly having a blast - and it was only going to get better.

As All Time Low finally took to the stage to a ear-splitting scream it suddenly became clear where the overwhelming popularity of tonight's show has sprung from; what makes this band just so appealing.

"I'd like the personally thank the person who was late pulling the curtain back." comments Alex Gaskarth, as he approaches the microphone after the band's explosive opener 'Lost in Stereo'  "Did anyone else notice that? We were half way through the fucking song!"

The casual banter and down-to-earth attitude radiating from the stage is returned by the crowd, who are loving every minute of it.  All Time Low may not be the best technical musicians on the planet and their lyrics are perhaps not the most profound ever written, but the personality and charisma with which they deliver them is second to none. 'Nothing Personal' may have tipped All Time Low over the edge into mainstream success, but the core fan base has been there for years, which seems to have helped the band strive to maintain a personal connection with their fans.  With more than six years of touring experience under their belts, the band has perfected a solid stage show with just the right amount of rehearsed production and raw improvisation. What results is a fantastic live show that guarantees a good time for everyone involved.

Tonight's set is quite short given the material the band has to choose from.  Whilst new songs 'Break Your Little Heart' and 'Stella' are well received, it's hard to beat old favourites 'Jasey Rae' and 'Coffee Shop Soundtrack' for sheer intensity. A semi-acoustic version of 'Remembering Sunday' is simply beautiful, whilst 'Weightless', fast on it's way to becoming All Time Low's signature anthem, extracts an explosive response from the crowd.  Ending their set with a mass sing-a-long in the shape of 'Dear Maria, Count Me In.', the band leave the stage with promises they'll be back soon.  This could be sooner than some expect, as the previous night in Newcastle saw Jack Barakat announce on stage that they band are to play this year's Kerrang! Tour (but you didn't hear that from us.) 

The end of the night sees hordes of fans surround the front of the venue, undeterred by claims from both security and the band's tour manager that no one will be coming out to sign anything.  With such a dedicated following  that seems to be increasing in size by the day, you wonder just what is next for All Time Low… 

--Lucy

Take a look at the sea of bodies crammed into the QMU tonight and it isn't hard to understand why the first Scottish appearance of Andrew McMahon's Jack's Mannequin was upgraded from the tiny King Tut's to more sizable venue.  Tonight's show has been a long time coming and if the ear-splitting screams that reverberate throughout the packed student union as the house lights go down are anything to go by, it has certainly been eagerly anticipated.

This evening's setlist is jam packed with a stellar mixture of songs from both debut album, 'Everything in Transit' and the more recent release, 'The Glass Passenger' and as a result it is almost impossible to pick out any specific highlights! Each song is delivered with the same gut wrenching brilliance as those before it, pulling the crowd along on a breathtaking rollercoaster of emotion. Never one to let his piano stop him from being one the more energetic frontmen of today, Andrew leapt about the stage with the energy of a man inspired, knocking over his stool and leaning into the outstretched and desperate arms of the screaming crowd.

Perhaps a short second should be taken here to note that, despite the adoration of the front few rows, tonight's crowd seemed to be somewhat tame compared to those VivaLaScene has previously been a part of, with large sections choosing to sit back and relax rather than give the brilliant band on stage the energy and appreciation they deserve.  

Still, apathetic Glaswegians aside, there was absolutely nothing else that could fault tonight's performance.  A special treat for older fans (and a nod to the number of years it has taken for Andrew McMahon to appear in Scotland as Jack's Mannequin) came in the form of 'Watch the Sky' from McMahon's days in Something Corporate. Jack's favourites 'Bruised' and 'I'm Ready' held their own in an impressive set alongside the brilliant 'La La Lie', which provided the perfect opportunity for a sing-a-long.

It's in the encore, however (denounced by the McMahon as "the biggest piece of rock and roll bullshit in the world") that the audience are reminded of the true talent and endless musicanship of the man on stage before them. With his piano as his only companion, McMahon treated Glasgow to a heartbreakingly tender and phenomenally beautiful rendition of 'Katie', written about and subsequently dedicated to the sister whose bone marrow saved his life in 2005.  The night finished with a bouncy rendition of 'MFEO: Made For Each Other/You Can Breath' and as it's closing chords faded from the speakers and the band left the stage for the second and final time with humble goodbyes and thank yous, the entire room was left with the feeling that the love radiating from the crowd toward the stage was more than mutual.

--Lucy

Cobra Starship
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
26^th May 2009

Opening the show tonight were Mimi Soya, a four piece outfit from Brighton and the only British band on the bill.  With the room not even  half full, the band did their best  to please the growing crowd., yet their set seemed to pass without any truly memorable moments.

Next up were New Jersey's Cash Cash, who were bringing their unique brand of electro pop-rock to the UK for the very first time.  Launching their set with the fast paced 'Cash Cash' from their debut full length 'Take It To The Floor', the band immediately got the crowd dancing up a frenzy.  Being slightly on the petite side, vocalist Jean Paul Makhlouf had come prepared, bringing his own box to stand on and he spent the majority of the performance leaning into the outstretched arms of the crowd. Offering a barrage of dance-rock gems, Cash Cash have the charm and talent to outshine many of their genre-mates. Their face-paced set ended with the super-catchy, fan favourite 'Party In Your Bedroom' - both of which really got the crowd going.  With the Vans Warped Tour in their sight's this summer and rumours of a return to the UK in the autumn, Cash Cash are set to be the band everyone is talking about by the end of the year.  Be sure to catch them live if you get the chance!

Tonight's final support slot was filled by Sing It Loud.  Although never having toured in the UK before, the band had a solid number of fans in the crowd, who sang along from the outset.  Fronted by self-proclaimed Taylor Swift double, Pat Brown, the band produced a standard set of the expected pop-punk songs.  However, what the may have lacked in originality, Sing It Loud more than made up for in enthusiasm.  Special mention should be given to keyboardist, Ben Peterson for being the most entertaining man to stage, taking time out from his synth duties to dance around and entertain the crowd.  As their set drew to a close, Cobra Starship's Alex Suarez made a guest appearance on bass, allowing Nate Flynn to launch himself into the crowd.  Despite not having the most sensational songs in the world, Sing It Loud's live performance is certainly entertaining and very fun to watch.  Both band and fans appeared to have a great time, providing the perfect introduction for tonight's main event.

After two tour postponements, one operation and nine long months of waiting, Cardiff was more than ready for Cobra Starship.  Climbing through fans and security, the band burst onto the stage of the intimate Welsh venue with the fire and energy fans have come to know and love.  Opener 'The City Is At War'  provided the perfect start to this night-long dance party and from the instant reaction from the crowd, it seemed like the wait had been more than worth it.  

A special mid-set treat came in the form of a short medley of rarely played songs from the band's debut album 'While The City Sleeps, We Rule The Streets', as well as old favourites 'Send My Love To The Dance Floor' and the unforgettable 'Church of Hot Addiction'.  In terms of more recent material, Cobra fired out song after song in their very own fun-filled, energetic style, with a particular highlight being 'Kiss My Sass'.  The guitar-less number was preceded by a 'don't-let-anyone-tell-you-that-you-can't-rock-out-on-keyboards' speech by front man Gabe Saporta and featured a cameo from Sing It Loud's Ben Peterson. The only new material on the bill tonight was the wittily titled 'Pete Wentz Is The Only Reason We're Famous', which went down a storm with the crowd.  A moment should be taken, however, to mourn the loss of Alex Suarez's maraca, who was found to be missing at the start of 'Smile For The Paparazzi', leaving the bassist noticeably upset and lost.  In true Cobra style, things were soon back on track and before the crowd knew what was happening, it was time for the encore.

With no barrier present, it was somewhat of an obstacle course for the band to leave and re-enter the stage and therefore tonight's encore was incorporated into part of the main set.  Led by guitarist Ryland Blackinton, Cobra Starship took their fans on a journey to a very special place - 'Pleasure Ryland'.  Through the magic of music, Ryland escorted us to this exotic land, 'where the drinking age is 12...and all the drinks are free.'  With the audience not knowing whether to laugh, dance or sing a long, Cobra ended their set with 'Guilty Pleasure', a song that has come to epitomise what the band is all about.  It's impossible to come away from a Cobra Starship show not having danced you ass off and had a brilliant time.  Witty, charming and at times down right hilarious, Cobra also have the musical talent to justify their well-rooted place in today's musical scene.  With the release of their third studio album, 'Hot Mess' just around the corner, it seems Cobra Starship will be making us dance for the foreseeable future.

-- Lucy

We The Kings
Cathouse, Glasgow
22nd May 2009

After two successful UK tours in support of Boys Like Girls/Cute Is What We Aim For and The Academy Is... respectively, Floridian favourites, We The Kings were back to embark on their very first international headlining tour.  Vivalascene headed out (on a surprisingly sunny day) to catch the first show of the band's nine date stint. As the line of kids who'd waited patiently throughout the day began to snake through the doors and up the steep set of stairs that led into tonight's venue, various members of We The Kings could still be found wandering around outside, signing tickets and taking pictures with fans. It was clear that the band were thrilled to be back in the UK and, if the air of excitement buzzing over the every growing queue was anything to go by, their fans were just as happy for them to be here.

Tonight's main support slot was filled by Hey Monday, the latest addition to the Decaydance Records roster. Fronted by the energetic Cassadee Pope, the band made their UK debut back in March in support of Fall Out Boy's four-date arena tour. However, tonight's venue presented a far more intimate setting for this young band, who burst onto the stage with the zesty attitude that peppers their debut full-length album, 'Hold On Tight'. In a slightly overused and yet somewhat unavoidable cliché, a comparison to Paramore seems to linger over tonight's performance. From the powerful female vocals of Pope to the well-rehearsed deliverance of rock-tinged pop songs, Hey Monday's overall stage presence seems to echo that of their older genre-mates.   Still, it was a performance that was seemed to be well-received by the majority of the crowd, who sang along incessantly to upbeat openers 'Run, Don't Walk' and 'Arizona'. The pace slowly slightly with the arrival of ballad 'Candles', during which the full band accompanied Cassadee's acoustic guitar, presenting a heavier electric live version of the studio recording. The relatively short set drew to a close with debut single 'Homecoming', whose catchy chorus was perfect for an end of performance sing-a-long, before the band bounded off stage with as much energy as they had entered. Although they may not have been the most unique act ever to grace The Cathouse stage, Hey Monday still managed to expertly fulfil their supporting role and left the crowd eager for tonight's headliners.

Finally it was time for We The Kings to embark on their first ever UK headline tour and they did so with the infectious 'Stay Young', a stomping number that features the insanely memorable chorus: 'We're only here for one more night/scream it like you mean it...' The crowd took this simple instruction to heart and exploded into an undistinguishable mass of arms, hair and noise. It seemed like the entire room joined in for the mass sing-a-long that came with 'Whoa' and at times the crowd's enthusiastic reaction seem to overwhelm the band, as front man Travis Clark offering his microphone to the packed barrier who obliged by screaming his words back to him. One thing that is undeniable about We The Kings is their ability to give a thoroughly professional performance, tinged with humour and fun. They entertained the crowd with both their melodic pop-punk anthems and their stage banter between songs.  Giving Clark a brief rest from vocal duties, guitarist Hunter Thomsen ventured down to the barrier mid-set, mic in hand where he proceeded to rap much to the delight of the both the crowd and his band members. The cover's didn't stop there however as the band regrouped to perform their own version of Jimmy Eat World's ' The Middle', which saw the first circle pit of the night open up on the floor.

As seemed to be the trend of the evening, We The Kings played a rather short set for a headlining slot. However what they lacked in quality they more than made up for in quantity, saving their two most popular (and arguably best) songs for last. Without leaving the stage and returning for an encore performance, the band launched straight into 'Skyway Avenue', forcing the crowd into a frenzy of circle pits and crowd surfers. This continued with the final song of the evening - the iconic 'Check Yes Juliet' featuring audience participation in the singing, clapping and dancing departments. As the song crashed to an electric finale and band came together in a row to bow to their appreciative fans, it was hard to imagine a better start to We The King's first UK headlining tour.  As the band prepare to release their sophomore album later this year, it seems their future is to be bigger, brighter and even more entertaining.

-- Lucy

 'We The Kings' - We The Kings is available now through S-Curve records. 

The band can be seen on tour this summer with All Time Low, as well as the Vans Warped Tour during August. For more info check out myspace.com/wethekings.

Telegraphs
King Tuts, Glasgow
23^rd May 2009

Last seen supporting Innerpartysystem, Brighton based Telegraphs were back in Glasgow, this time playing the legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, in support of In Case of Fire. This intimate venue was the perfect setting for the young band's raw and unabashed performance. The five piece is fronted by Darcy Harrison and Hattie Williams and the haunting effect of their combined vocals propels Telegraphs' sound that one crucial step ahead of their contemporaries. Stand out tracks included the evocative 'We Dance In Slow Motion' and the energetic and compelling 'So Cold', both of which are sure to be lodged in your head days after hearing them. With clever constructed lyrics, pounding drum beats and intense guitar riffs, Telegraphs have constructed a unique sound that translates perfectly on the live stage. 

A small cluster of fans were already huddled on the barrier as the band took to the stage and as the set progressed more and more bodies migrated away from the bar and into the main body of the venue. As the final song came to a close, the room was almost packed and it became plain to see that Telegraphs had won over a fair number of new fans this evening. The slight lack of banter between songs only allowed the band to make the most of their short support slot, firing out song after song, much to the growing crowd's delight. 

There is something about Telegraphs that sets them apart from the army of young bands in today's scene; a certain enigmatic fire to their music that comes across during a live performance. The band gave everything they had to tonight's energetic and electrifying performance and every new Telegraphs convert was certainly well deserved. With the launch of their debut full-length record imminent, it is hard not to imagine that Telegraphs will the band everyone will be talking about by the end of the year.

-- Lucy

 For more information, head over to MySpace.com/telegraphs.

It was something of a jolt to the senses to step out of the brilliant sunlight and into the dark recesses of Manchester Academy last Sunday afternoon for the second day of this year's Give It A Name. Aside from the few rows of people standing at the barrier and those who were buying shirts at the merch tables or drinks from the bar, most of the fans were sitting in small groups on the floor when vivalascene arrived at this ever popular venue.

At 4.35, slightly earlier than predicted, the stage lights dimmed and the majority of the crowd rose to their feet, cheering as Californian metal-core band, In This Moment came onto the stage. Led by their captivating vocalist, Maria Brink, it only took two songs to get the remainder of the audience on their feet with their focus firmly fixed on the band. Their set included "Beautiful Tragedy", the title track from their first album and the single "Forever" from last year's sophomore effort The Dream. Maria paced the stage, swishing her ponytail from side to side any time she came to a halt, enthralling the audience with her potent mixture of extended screaming and clean vocals, while guitarist, Chris Howorth, constantly encouraged the crowd to join him as he pumped his fist in the air.  

Up next was the petite girl with the big voice, Toronto, Canada's Lights. She moved back and forth between playing keytar centre stage and keyboards stageleft, ably supported by her backing band, Maurie on drums and Adam on keyboards. Definitely a star in the making, Lights, delighted the mainly hardcore crowd with her brand of incredibly catchy  '80s style electro-pop. Her set included "February Air" and "Ice" the current single from her self-titled EP and new song "Second Go" from her soon to be released first full-length album. She surprised the audience by doing a cover of the Backstreet Boys song "I Want It That Way", which had pretty much everyone singing and clapping along. Lights ended her performance with "The Last Thing On Your Mind", a synth-heavy song with positive lyrics. One thing is certain, after experiencing Lights live, she won't be the last thing on your mind.

Emery, the five-piece post-hardcore band originally from South Carolina, but now based in Seattle hit the stage firing on every cylinder and the crowd responded in kind. Glasses of beer were flying everywhere as singer, Toby Morell stomped around the stage swinging his microphone by its cable in between his gruff vocals. Toby and bassist Devin Shelton swapped roles several times during a set that never flagged. The band was certainly keen to impress on their first trip to the UK. Strangest of all was keyboard player , Josh Head, who spent most of his time either prowling the stage, leaping off the drum riser, or down at the barrier  screaming like a banshee at the audience. This assault on the senses saw the formation of the first circlepitt of the day and after showing their appreciation the many sweaty fans left the hall in search of fresh air and refreshments.

A reggae beat heralded the arrival of The King Blues at 6.45. The band, fronted by vocalist (and ukulele player) Jonny "Itch" Fox, lost no time in starting their set with their 2008 single about squatting "Let's Hang The Landlord". Next up was "Mr Music Man", a single from their first album, Under the Fog. This song like some others by this band is very reminiscent of the 2Tone sound of the late '70s, a fusion of ska, punk rock, reggae and pop. There was a very enthusiastic response from the crowd to "I've Got Love" the latest single from The King Blues second album Save The World, Get The Girl.  At the end of this number we were reminded of the band's commitment to politics and resistance. "On the count of three, Manchester, I want you to say fuck off to the BNP," demanded Itch. I think it's safe to say the audience didn't hold back in answering his call.  The remainder of the set included the ska-infused "The Streets Are Ours" which includes a reference to the Tiananmen Square massacre and a new song, "Don't Let the Bastards Win", dedicated to the G20 protesters. The band completed their extremely tight set with the anti-war title track from their current album, "Save The World, Get The Girl" which features the now famous line, "But going to war, to prevent war, was the most stupid thing I ever heard."

Judging by the screams that greeted the entrance of The Academy Is, a fair number of young ladies had made their way nearer the front to get a better view of the Chicago-based quintet. Led by their tall and lean vocalist, William Beckett, they began their set with the single "Summer Hair = Forever Young" from their current album Fast Times At Barrington High. This was quickly followed by first album fan-favourite "Slow Down". The band are probably the most underrated from the Fueled by Ramen stable and even being a member down didn't stop them from being an exceptionally tight unit tonight. Drummer Andy 'the butcher' Mrotek was standing in for injured bass player Adam Siska, who had to remain back in the US to have urgent surgery on one of his forefingers and Armor For Sleep's Nash Breen, a good friend of the band, was filling in on drums. For "Neighbours", a single from their sophomore effort, Santi, Beckett encouraged the crowd to clap along with him. He's a charismatic front man who struts about the stage, occasionally sidling up his band-mates at (in)appropriate moments and teasing the audience  mercilessly. Next up was their first single, "Checkmarks"  from Almost Here and they followed that with two Santi tracks, "Same Blood" and "We've Got A Big Mess On Our Hands", a song with crashing drums and, at times, discordant sound. The Academy Is ended their set with the single "About A Girl" from their current album. William Beckett's giant leap from the drum riser as a finale earning them even more screams and cheers from their fans.

The penultimate performers of the evening, The Blackout, were next to play and even before the stage lights dimmed, their fans were already chanting "We are the dy-na-mite" for their post-hardcore/ screamo heroes. Heavy strobe lights announced the arrival of the band on stage. An appropriately explosive set followed including songs "Tick Tick, Boom", I've Got Better Things To Do Tonight Than Die" and "It's A High Tide Baby" from their first full-length album We Are The Dynamite. The audience didn't need much encouragement to form a huge circlepitt and those wished to stay out of it were forced to move further back down the hall. The duelling vocals of Sean Smith and Gavin Butler work incredibly well and they seem to be able to switch command of the stage and audience with ease. New song "Top Of The World" from upcoming album The Best in Town was surprising in that there were more clean vocals and less screaming than we've come to expect from the band. They also played soon to be released single, "We Are The Children Of The Night" which looks certain to become a firm favourite with fans. Even vivalascene was chanting with the crowd for this one! For "I'm A Riot, You're A Fucking Riot", Sean ordered everyone in the pit to kneel down on the floor. Then he screamed at them to "Get the fuck up!" The song began, the pit went ... well crazy. It was like all hell had broken loose in the room. So if this all sounds like your idea of fun, then make sure you have a ticket for The Blackout's tour next month.

After almost six hours the moment that most of the audience has been waiting for finally arrives as tonight's headliners, Enter Shikari take to the stage. The cheering and whistling is deafening as vocalist Rou Reynolds stands up on a riser and announces to the crowd in a growling voice, "Here tonight. I clock a thousand heads. Here to unite. Through Common Dreads." The sound of electronic keyboards fills the room, strobe lights flash and the band launches into crowd-pleasing opener "Solidarity" from their forthcoming album Common Dreads. Next up is another new song, "Feast", a bouncy rhythmic number that has the audience jumping in time and waving their hands in the air. Before continuing with their set Rou mentions to the crowd that his voice isn't at its best; they've been busy working on their sophomore album and haven't played many live shows in recent months. Liam mocks his band-mate claiming Rou's voice had only just broken. As punishment Rou leaves Liam to sing most of the third song, "No Sssweat" from their first album Take To The Skies, while he kneels at the front of the stage with a cup of water, and a smirk adoring his face. New number, "Antwerpen", followed, a song which the band has made available as a free download single (via http://www.entershikari.com), references the tale of Silvius Brabo, a mythical Roman soldier, who killed a giant because he cut off the hands of people who refused to pay to pass by the River Scheldt. The remainder of their energetic set was a mix of old and new, including upcoming single "Juggernauts" and oldie "Sorry, You're Not A Winner" before culminating in fan favourite, "OK Time For Plan B". The band's intriguing mix of prog rock, metal, punk and trance ensures that there is something in their performance for everyone to enjoy and no doubt there were new converts amongst the exhausted crowd that spilled out onto Oxford Road at the end of the show.

-- Kat

Give It A Name Introduces...Tour
w/ In This Moment, Versaemerge & Lights
King Tut's, Glasgow
12th April 2009

Every year the 'Give It A Name Introducing...' tour picks the best up and coming bands from the line-up of the main 'Give It A Name' festival and takes them out on tour around the UK. With the aim of showcasing future talents, this tour is often an unmissable chance to see your next favourite band in the most intimate of venues. This year's line-up included Versaemerge, Lights and In This Moment. When the tour rolled into Glasgow, Scotland on Easter Sunday, vivalascene headed out (chocolate eggs in hand) to catch the action.

Tonight's venue was the legendary King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. Not only does it boast one of the best names in the business, Tut's has had many hallowed names grace its stage, passing through on their way to stardom. 

The first band on stage tonight was In This Moment, a five piece metal-core band from California. Fronted by the charismatic Maria Brink, their arrival was welcomed by cheers from the crowd. With a compelling mix of screaming and clean vocals, Brink moved about the stage with ease, losing herself in the music. A definite highlight came in the form of current single 'Forever', which surely has the ability and the appeal to propel In This Moment towards a wider audience. Reaching out to shake hands with fans at the barrier, Brink ensured that everyone took something personal away from the show, whilst the band around her produced a solid performance. Definitely a band to watch this year, there is no doubt that In This Moment have what it takes to break out into the mainstream and make a name for themselves as one of the most intriguing and unique live acts around.

Second on the bill tonight were Versaemerge, the latest signing to the Fueled By Ramen family. With an extensive touring history behind them, this young band are no strangers to the live stage and it certainly showed in their performance tonight. Their distinctive style of orchestral-tinged rock was delivered with raw talent and pure passion as vocalist Sierra Kusterbeck bounced around the stage with unremitting energy. Their set consisted mostly of songs from their self-titled EP, with opener 'The Hider' immediately getting the audience onside. If the crowd surrounding the band and their merch table after the set is anything to go by, Versaemerge left Glasgow tonight with a hoard of converted fans. With an extensive summer touring schedule and a full-length debut set to appear at the start of next year, it doesn't look like anything is going to be able to stop this band. Then again, with such talent and dedication to their craft, Versaemerge deserve all the success that is set to come their way.

After a slightly longer set change than previous, two keyboards appear onstage, heralding the arrival of Lights. Canada's very own electro-pop princess, she delivers synth-infused songs that you just can't help but bob your head along to. Switching between a keyboard and keytar, Lights charmed the crowd with songs such as "Drive My Soul", "February Air" (chosen to be featured on an Old Navy commercial) and of course current single "Ice". Despite having yet to officially release material in the UK (although her EP was on sale at the merch table) fans in the crowd were soon singing along, highlighting the infectious aspect to Lights' songs -and also the wonders of the Internet! This rising star produced a sound performance, with her strong vocals blending perfectly with the electro beat. Mark our words - by the end of the summer Lights is going to be your new favourite artist!

All in all tonight was just a sneaky peek of what these great acts have to offer. With performances such as these, who knows what the next year will have in store for them...

--Lucy

 All three bands are set to appear on Warped Tour '09.

You Me At Six
Glasgow Barrowlands
9th March 2009

Despite the biting March wind and unremitting sideways rain, the queue outside The Barrowlands Ballroom is enormous ahead of tonight's show. Under the watch of the iconic neon sign that has come to epitomise The Barrowlands, the doors are finally opened and hundreds upon hundreds of ecstatic kids pour through in a stream of excited laughter and chatter that takes them up the stairs and straight to the barrier. This is a night that has been long awaited by the crowd; a fact that becomes clear as opening band Emarosa take to the stage amidst an explosion of cheers.

The Kentucky sextet, fronted by Jonny Craig (formally of Dance Gavin Dance) powered their way through a heavy and energetic set, which seemed to be just what the audience needed to get them going. With the first few bars of the opening song still ringing in their ears, the crowd soon opened up and a circle pit appeared on the far side of the room; arms and fists flying everywhere. Ending the set with a trip down to the barrier, Craig announced his love for British crowds and promised it wouldn't be long until his band returned to our shores.

The Spill Canvas were next up, yet their easy-listening brand of alternative rock failed to inspire the crowd, many of whom took the opening of their set to head to the bar and refuel. For those Spill Canvas fans here tonight this was a sound performance, with the band showcasing hits from their extensive discography, including "Reckless Abandonment" and "Polygraph, Right Now".

With nothing left to come but tonight's headliners the floor was packed in eager anticipation. As a white sheet dropped down from the ceiling and hide the stage from view, the crowd entertained themselves by singing along to the music being blasted through the venue's PA system - Fall Out Boy's "I Don't Care" and All Time Low's "Dear Maria, Count Me In" being particular favourites.

With the set change complete, all that was left was for You Me At Six to take to the stage. The excitement teeming from the crowd was almost unbearable as the house lights dropped and two single spotlights on either side of the stage illuminated the silhouettes of guitarists Chris Miller and Max Helyer. Add into this build-up the appearance of vocalist Josh Franceschi, who climbed onto a monitor and peered through the translucent curtain, and it became hard to imagine a louder scream being produced by this rapturous audience. As the curtain dropped in an explosion of lights and guitar riffs the band launched into tonight's opener, "Jealous Minds Think Alike".

The floor erupted into a mass of movement, swelling forward towards the stage and Franceschi's out stretched microphone, into which the crowd provided word-perfect backing vocals. "The Truth Is A Terrible Thing", the lead track from the band's full length debut "Take Off Your Colours", was entwined with a short reprise of Fall Out Boy's "Sugar We're Goin' Down" - a song that always ensures a great reaction. Yet You Me At Six are not a band who have to rely on popular covers in order to entertain a crowd - with a barrage of infectiously clever punk-rock anthems to their name, this is a feat they are more than capable of achieving on their own terms.

Despite having picked up an ankle injury the previous night, nothing seemed to be able to stop Franceschi, who entertained the crowd brilliantly with a mix of pitch-perfect vocals and pre-song stage banter. The crowd responded, giving everything they had to You Me At Six - and then a little bit more. During "If You Run" not one, but two separate circle pits open up on the floor, as the rest of the audience put their efforts into screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs. "Always Attract", a slower, acoustic song opened the encore and it was during this song the band highlighted their extensive talent and durability - qualities that have set them aside from the rest of today's pop-punk scene.

As the show drew to a close with the recently re-released single "Save It For The Bedroom", followed by the astounding "The Rumour", it seemed the crowd would have done anything to make this night last longer. Live shows are certainly what You Me At Six do best and, if the reaction to Josh's announcement that the band are to return in July to play the T in the Park music festival is anything to go by, it is clear that Scotland will be glad to have them back.

-- Lucy

 "Take Of Your Colours" is available internationally through Slam Dunk Records.

 You Me At Six headline The Slam Dunk Festival, Leeds, UK and are set to appear on the Vans Warped Tour this summer.

 More info can be found over at myspace.com/youmeatsix

Forever The Sickest Kids
The Garage, Glasgow
12th February 2009

Furthest Drive Home, the only British band on the bill, had the task of opening tonight's show. With an already impressive touring history under their belts, this was a task they were more than capable of. The three-piece from Surrey received a great reaction from the crowd, who seemed to really enjoy their catchy pop/rock sound. This response seemed to intensify with each song the band delivered and by the end of their set it was evident Furthest Drive Home had succeeded in tuning many people into their sound.

Next up was Danger Radio from Seattle, Washington. Although having toured all over their native America, this was the bands first visit to the UK and the guys seems genuinely surprised that so many people in the crowd had heard of them. With a somewhat 'dance-ier' sound than their predecessors, they soon had the almost capacity crowd jumping to the beat. Their set was fine-tuned and well delivered, serving as a fantastic bridge into tonight's headliners.

Entering to what can only be described as a very unique introduction montage, Forever The Sickest Kids burst onto the stage and launched straight into 'Believe Me I'm Lying'. The crowd responded immediately, screaming the lyrics back to Jonathan Cook's outstretched microphone. This instant love from the crowd didn't phase the band one bit as they powered their way through their 11 song set.

Anyone who has seen a FTSK live show cannot fault their commitment to having a damn good time - and making sure they take the crowd along with them. Tonight's performance was no exception. With the first few songs a circle pit had opened up in the middle of the room, with a steady stream of crowd surfers pulsing over the barrier. As the band launched into their cover of Will Smith's 'Men in Black' there was not a single hand that wasn't raised in the air, waving manically in appreciation. The intense excitement in the room was clearly felt by the band, who quickly proclaimed tonight's crowd to be the best they had ever played to - a fact that was later verified in photographs and blogs posted on the band's Myspace page. As the set crashed through closer 'Whoa Oh! (Me vs. Everyone)' and the band quickly left the stage, the crowd were relentless in their chants for more; and were quickly rewarded with an encore containing tonight's final song, 'She's a Lady'.

The show closed with promises to meet at the merch table from the band and rapturous applause and deafening screams from the crowd. As the house lights lit up the bedraggled and sweat-ridden crowd, the overwhelmingly exultant looks on their faces said it all. This was a show that was enjoyed by all and that would not be forgotten for a long, long time.

--Lucy

'Underdog Alma Mater' - Forever The Sickest Kids full length is available now on iTunes.

The video for 'Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone)' can be found over at www.myspace.com/foreverthesickestkids.