Stone Gods on the other hand might feel that they'd have stolen every Airbourne fan in the building were it not for the evident ferocity of the Aussie newcomers' fanbase. The offensively excellent 'Burn The Witch' ignites a set which is high on crowd banter and excellent showmanship; only consolidating Richie Edwards' prowess as a frontman. The Lichfield-born six stringer has no trouble winning over any potential cynics of which there aren't many, incidentally as everyone in the ever-filling venue is bullied into clapping, singing and dancing along to future classics such as 'You Brought A Knife To A Gunfight' and 'Knight Of The Living Dead'. If this band aren't filling buildings this size very soon, then something is most definitely wrong in the world.
Indeed, if it weren't for the fact that Aussie rockers Airbourne have more energy than a Jibber Jabber on speed, you might well feel that the night had belonged to their main support. As it is, Joel O'Keefe doesn't have half of the natural charisma of Edwards, but he has an infectious enthusiasm that has seeped its way through the crowd before long before the band has launched into set-opener 'Stand Up For Rock 'N' Roll'. From then on in it's an unstoppable flurry of sweat, booze and manly high-fiving as people of all ages and professions seem to kick their inhibitions into orbit and go well and truly apeshit for an hour.
True, O'Keefe's own interactions with the crowd aren't exactly mind-blowingly original ("This is a song for all the girls in black. It's called 'Girls In Black!'" being one such example), but he has such an evident and honest love what for he does that it is impossible not to like him and Airbourne in general. Tellingly, his much-applauded speech directed at the decision to knock down this beloved venue is both simple and yet poignant, and by the time set-closer 'Black Jack' very nearly sees the Astoria raised prematurely to the ground, those that have been lucky enough to attend tonight's festivities will know that this buildings long history will stay as alive and well as rock music itself.
FUTURE GIGS
- date performer venue price
-
Wed 5 Mar 2025
Airbourne
Nottingham
Rock City
[NG1 5GG] £30.00
-
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Airbourne
Leeds
Leeds University Union (Stylus, Pure & Mine)
[LS2 9JT] £30.00
BUY TICKETS > -
Sun 9 Mar 2025
Airbourne
Newcastle upon Tyne
The Boilershop
[NE1 3PD] £30.00
BUY TICKETS >