Rushed home from work, got changed, waited for my other half to get home and we could whizz off. Wanted to get to the venue and get a prime spot so we could get to actually see the band's faces. Last time we saw 'Joy' they were providing the support slot for Muse And boy did they kick some ass that night, I was hoping tonight would be the same.
Prime spot or not, right next to the speakers, if you've never seen The Joy Formidable before, well, they are very loud, in actual fact they made my ears ring so much last time I saw them I contemplated putting ear plugs in. (You should do - my ears now permanently sound like someone is screeching in one of them, I'll never hear silence again - Editor).
Support tonight was provided by Deuno and Kill It Kid, my favourite of both support bands was Deuno, loved their sound, BUT the lead vocalist on To Kill A Kid had the lushest, velvety voice ever.
The Joy Formidable were due on stage at 9.15pm, but in true rock n roll style they were late, and came on stage at just at 9.30pm.
The stage set was pretty basic, white screen for video throughout the show with a wolf that lights up at various times throughout songs. BUT The Joy Formidable aren't about pyrotechnics and fancy pants stage sets, its all about the live music. Their albums don't do them justice live at all, when I see them I just wanna get stuck in with all the twenty something's and mosh and be really rebellious, but for a 45 year old women this isn't something you do!
The set was like a rollercoaster ride, kicked off with the amazing back to back songs 'Cholla' and 'Austere', I was in paradise totally, my other half was totally agog and kept saying "So amazing live". I didn't disagree and neither did the packed Wulfrun Hall.
The 15 song set seemed to go on forever, but I didn't mind as it was totally mind blowing, all I kept thinking was £12.50 for a ticket, I would actually pay twice this, but when you pit it against bigger bands who charge £40, you wonder who is better value for money.
90 minutes of pure unadulterated pleasure, Every song was pure class and the new album 'Wolf's Law' was so much better live.
'This Ladder is Ours' rocked the Wulfrun, sweaty twenty something's with plenty of enthusiasm and finger pointing, even much so, both Ritzy and Rhydian would teeter on the edge of the stage with guitars shouting "Fucking come on", I love passion! They love what they do and have so much stage presence, taking the mick out of each other and even at one point throwing towels at each other.
They are so down to earth its untrue at several points in the show thanking the fans for buying their first EP and buying the albums.
'Little Blimp', 'While The Flies', 'Cradle' and my own personal favourite from the whole set was the acoustic number off the album, 'Silent Treatment'. This song showcased and epitomised what The Joy are all about, talented musicians as Ritzy as the front women can belt out a stonking number and yet sing such a song as 'Silent Treatment'. How many instruments can Rhydian play?? So talented beyond belief and his acoustic guitar on 'Silent' was sensational.
'The Ever Changing Spectrum of a Lie' was the end of show song before the encore, at this point my one ear had given up the ghost.
The band went off stage then scurried back on after much heckling and jeering from fans, the best was yet to come. 'Forest Serenade', title track and an absolute stonker 'Wolf's Law', the band were so up for this show. At one point Ritzy jumped in to the pit and gave her guitar to the audience and they played it, and then Rhydian gave his bass to the front row and just left them to play it, I was in stitches.
Obviously 'Joy' classic 'Whirring' was the last song of the night, seemed like the extended version, BUT it was astounding.
The audience loved it, I loved it and my partner had the biggest Cheshire cat grin ever.
The thing is about small bands they are real people with no egos and The Joy are no exception.
I bought two T-shirts on the evening of the show and cause I was 1 of 20 fans to spend a certain amount of money on merchandise we got to meet the band. Bit surreal really especially when you've followed a band for so long.
How down to earth were they, I was a bit gob smacked to be honest and couldn't believe it when they all introduced themselves and shook our hands, absolutely surreal.
We just chatted about how we'd seen them for the first time at Hop Farm years ago and how they are one of our favourite bands, this was heaven.
Pure class!!
Do yourself a favour and see The Joy Formidable live.
article by: Michelle & Trish Owen-Williams
published: 05/03/2013 11:48
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.