The Automatic / Viva Machine

Tonight we are at the Hull Welly, with its bright whitewashed walls glowing very brightly like a beacon in Beverley Road. Hull City FC are playing tonight with a chance of automatic promotion into the Premier League, which is creating a very excited buzz in the city. This seems to set the good mood tone for the gig tonight.

The Welly has opened its doors tonight to over 14s, which many seem to have taken advantage of. If only more venues where prepared to do this. This is well organised with over 18s having 18+ stamped on their hand & a VIP wristband enabling you to buy alcohol. No wristband NO ALCOHOL! This system works well with no sign of any problems. The Welly deserves to be congratulated for organising this.

First band up tonight are Swansea's Viva Machine. Difficult to pigeon hole, a fusion of synths with crashing guitars. They have supported The Automatic on a few tours over the years, so Automatic fans know their material well. Strolling onto the stage lead singer & synths man Chris seems surprised by the cheers on their appearance that he reassures us they are not the main act tonight. This should not be for long as I can see them headlining their own tour in the near distant future. After a few songs we are informed "we are so much a better audience than Leeds last night!!!" Previous single release 'Jet Set Radio' goes down a storm with a huge mosh pit forming in front of the stage with fans bouncing from side to side of the Welly. It is starting to get hot & sweaty in the Welly as DP the drummer strips down to his bare chest.



Chris flits from stage to crowd & back again fully enjoying the fruits of his band's efforts, which the crowd are eagerly lapping up. I later find out that Viva machine are for some crazy reason currently unsigned. How the labels have missed this act just amazes me. Viva Machine are worth the entrance fee alone & are probably one of the best support bands I have seen for a long time. A fantastic warm up before the main act, The Automatic will have to work hard to better.

The Automatic sneak on to the stage, without many seeming to notice. Opener tonight is 'Light Entertainment' from the new album scheduled for release in June. This is the first tour with new guitarist Paul Mullen.

The crowd seem slow to take part, maybe taking in the new song, always seems to be a brave move by opening with a newbie, this is soon rectified with a rousing version of 'Recover', again the mosh starts to sway around as people are falling to the floor & soon picked up again with good spirits. Someone is repeatedly shouting "comrades!!!" and there are cheers as text messages are received with the latest goal news from the football.



Another new song, 'Steve McQueen, which is expected to be the first single from the new album 'This is a Fix'. Followed by an early outing for big hitter 'Monster', which brings the audience back to life with lots of call and answering. The band then just seem to go through the motions with a mixture of B sides and new material. It's not until new album title 'This is a Fix' when members of Viva Machine are brought back on stage, that things really start to get wild. Lots of crowd surfing and some serious moshing is now taking place as lead singer Robin Hawkins shouts "You all look very sweaty now!!!" Which most are, as hoodies are being thrown to the ground in abandon. Last song is a rousing version of 'RAOUL', the main lights are flickered back to life & the set is over after just 45 stop & start minutes. The good vibes continue as texts are steadily arriving confirming Hull City have beaten Barnsley and are now 2nd placed in the championship. Most people seem happy.



Set List:
Light Entertainment
Recover
Steve McQueen
Monster
Secret Police
Magazine
By My Side
This Ship
Lost at Home
This is a Fix
That's What She Said
Sleepwalking
RAOUL

FUTURE GIGS

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