ANBERLIN

W/ THE GETAWAY PLAN,

THE XCERTS

THE RELENTLESS GARAGE, LONDON

07/02/2013

Adding tonight’s show to their already impressive list of support slots on this side of the world, The Getaway Plan demonstrate how to completely kick ass The Relentless Garage in the down unders of the capital. The Australian four piece ooze a hugely dynamic, full sound that echoes and shakes the 600 capacity room with intense power as they prime the evening with their self-conscious character. Remaining more or less as statues, songs like ‘Where The City Meets The Sea’ and the evidently enduring ‘Heartstone’ act as a picture that really is worth a thousand words. Striking the first notes in ‘The Reckoning’ it seems it’s about time the gifted bunch start to think about headlining on our shores.

Unfortunately The Xcerts are no match as yet with their ear-aching screeching melodies. Describing their sound on the band’s Facebook page as distorted pop, they resemble Brand New and The Pixies love child.

Rounding off their UK leg, Anberlin explode onto the stage with bags of spirit and flare to the Florida five piece. But this is not just any old stage; it is in fact frontman Stephen Christian and co’s territory. Launching into ‘Little Tyrants’ off 2012’s Vital the alternative rock veterans expel a mixture of sophistication and superiority.

Not a moment goes past where the band, now in their eleventh year together are low on fuel, their presence breathing life into a cold February night. It’s clear that as a unit, they take this opportunity to cease the moment, putting all their might, energy and emotions on a stake and marching through the incredibly well put together set list. Stephen is nothing short of invincible, his showmanship extraordinary, humble yet grateful. Anberlin’s signature sound pierces through with fan favourite ‘Paperthin Hymn’ before ascending into ‘Other Side’, bringing festival energy indoors. Undeniable and certainly impossible to hide smiles grace every member of Anberlin and this is the result of seeing every lyric sang back to the band.

As Stephen stops to thank their supporters, the audience chant Anberlin before the frontman is able to complete his sentence. And it is scenes like this that really show how untouchable Anberlin are and the matter of the fact is nobody even comes close. They’ve used their eleven years wisely, perfecting every aspect that makes them a band that inevitably excels in performance and on record. With enthusiasm running through their veins, they’re jam packed with joy, all while showcasing exceptional talent to the highest of standards. But what really stands out like a sore thumb is their manner, their poise and how appreciative and human they are, no matter how big their sound is their attitude is anything but.

Sure a lot of bands experience the novelty wearing off, but for Anberlin, each track is performed as if it’s the first. In tracks ‘The Resistance’ and ‘The Feel Good Drag’ every person present follows the lead almost instantly, with air punches and ginormous sing-alongs. It’s written in tonight’s performance that the music world really could not produce a band remotely comparable to Anberlin, sending shivers down every spine with each heart bursting rhythm and monster size melodies. Drawing the greatest night of the year to a close is ‘Someone Anyone’ and ‘Godspeed’ and with that, Anberlin really could not have made a greater impact.