Catfish and the Bottlemen - Perth, 28th July 2019
Words: Todd Lockley
Catfish and the Bottlemen had only just finished a headline set at Splendour in the Grass, where they were considered by many as the best performance of the three day weekend. With an all but standing room only set up for HBF stadium, the crowd looked larger than you'd expect in Perth late on a Sunday evening. It was heaving, showing the widespread appeal of this little indie band from North Wales.
With very little to look at other than an ever changing neon Toucan bird in the background, the guys strolled out just after 9pm and lead into Longshot from latest album offering The Balance. Early highlight Kathleen had anybody that listens to JJJ singing along, however it seemed like a "going through the motions" performance and that vibe was there throughout the entire show.
However, the Perth crowd's enthusiasm more than made up for that! Security jostled with those leaking out onto the walkways at the sides of the crowd and punters adorned each others shoulders to commence different songs in the set.
Conversation picked things up with an eery flashing blue light and thunderous sounding opening, but with an epic 17 songs performed on the night it all seemed to be rushed at times, with little banter from front man Van Mcann, and it was rather hard distinguish what he was saying whenever he did want to chat - the accent was a deep one.
7 signalled the beginning of the end, as the big hits came through "this is Cocoon" drawled McCann as the stage lit it up in red and yellow flashes for the biggest crowd reaction of the evening, before Tyrants finished the night off in similar fashion to how it began. A steady, firm performance that lacked in entertainment value.
With very little to look at other than an ever changing neon Toucan bird in the background, the guys strolled out just after 9pm and lead into Longshot from latest album offering The Balance. Early highlight Kathleen had anybody that listens to JJJ singing along, however it seemed like a "going through the motions" performance and that vibe was there throughout the entire show.
However, the Perth crowd's enthusiasm more than made up for that! Security jostled with those leaking out onto the walkways at the sides of the crowd and punters adorned each others shoulders to commence different songs in the set.
Conversation picked things up with an eery flashing blue light and thunderous sounding opening, but with an epic 17 songs performed on the night it all seemed to be rushed at times, with little banter from front man Van Mcann, and it was rather hard distinguish what he was saying whenever he did want to chat - the accent was a deep one.
7 signalled the beginning of the end, as the big hits came through "this is Cocoon" drawled McCann as the stage lit it up in red and yellow flashes for the biggest crowd reaction of the evening, before Tyrants finished the night off in similar fashion to how it began. A steady, firm performance that lacked in entertainment value.