Futureheads Are Back

Celebratory mood as punkish new songs unveiled

29 Nov 2007 - The Futureheads had every reason to feel a little nervous before tonight's comeback gig at the Kings College Student's Union in London.

It's been a while since they last played in the UK, and they've just written and recorded their third album on their own, without the guidance of a record label.

But the Futureheads couldn't have had a warmer or more supportive welcome back.

Other than the free download, Broke Up The Time, this gig was the first chance for fans to hear the tracks the band have been busy recording in Spain.

What they heard was a return to the brash, excitable, punkish sounds of their debut album, but with the playful boyishness of songs like Manray and Robot replaced with solid, well developed songwriting.

On first listen it sounds like there are less of the trademark harmonies and complex beats that we've come to expect from The Futureheads, as though they've stopped experimenting and gone back to what they enjoy the most; simply rocking out.

And the result is exhilarating, showcasing The Futureheads' unique talent of being at once both ferocious and melodic, gleeful and fierce.

"I bet Queen felt like this after coming back for Live Aid." - Ross Millard

But while the new material was greeted with enthusiastic whooping from the audience, the band seemed genuinely taken aback and touched by the response to their hits. Guitarist Ross Millard proclaimed: "We didn't even have to ask – I'm lost for words," as the start of the track He Knows was greeted instantly with loud and note-perfect harmonies.

That feeling of mutual appreciation between the band and the crowd set the tone for the night, with the most loyal fans rewarded in the encore; when a storming version of Area was followed by A Picture of Dorian Gray from their first EP, 123 Nul, and then early b-side Piece Of Crap for a suitably playful finish.

It was a confident setlist and the band looked confident and thrilled to be back on stage. As Ross said at one point: "I bet Queen felt like this after coming back for Live Aid." It could almost be true.


Lucy O'Doherty