Fall out Boy - Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 30/05/06 | | Hush Sound |
It’s a warm Tuesday night in Wolverhampton and everywhere you look there are groups of people heading in the direction of the Civic. Fall Out Boy are in town and with tickets selling out weeks in advance anticipation is high. Inside the venue, even at only 7.30, the assembled masses are eagerly pushing themselves forward to get a good position for tonight’s main event. But before the main course is served we have two tasty starters in the form of the Hush Sound and the Academy is… The Hush SoundThe Hush Sound take to the stage to loud cheers and bash out an ok set of quirky punk pop numbers. The alternating vocals of keyboard player Greta and guitarist Bob make for a nice variation in sound. The songs go down well with the crowd, and despite sound problems midway through the set leave the stage with a raft of new fans. The Academy Is... | | The Academy Is... |
The Academy is… need no introduction. Of the last few years they have played support slots with countless bands including Panic at the Disco, Something Corporate and Motion City Soundtrack to name a few. The Civic erupts when they take to the stage and they deliver a solid set of songs. Front man William Beckett, who looks not unlike comedian Russell Brand, roams the stage - his skinny frame almost a blur at times as he zips from one side of the stage to the other. Having played live in this country so much the Chicago based band have built up a loyal following and the crowd response is testament to this with many of the songs being sung back at them. A guest spot from Patrick from Fall Out Boy rounded off an assured performance from the band and it’s not hard to imagine them coming back soon to headline themselves. Fall Out Boy | | Fall Out Boy |
As Bon Jovi`s Living On a Prayer blasts through the PA, Fall Out Boy take to the stage. The four piece from Chicago have a fierce live reputation and tonight they didn’t disappoint. Front man Patrick stays more or less stationary while bassist Pete and guitarist Jon whirl around him. Pete and Jon are highly entertaining as they climb on top of speakers, whirl round and round and launch themselves from the drum riser. A cynical reviewer may question the amount of music played by the two as a large proportion of the time they appear not to be playing anything at all - instead concentrating on their theatrics. Patrick has a great voice and as they roar through a set that covers all three of their albums he still manages to keep some of the focus on himself just using his fearsome lungs and forgoing the dramatics of his band mates. Russell repays Patrick’s earlier guest spot when he comes out and sings late in the set and just as it looks like its going to be a vintage Fall Out Boy performance the PA decides to call it a night and the sound disappears. As roadies frantically check cables and plugs the band wander around the stage shouting apologies into the hall. After 10 minutes, normal service is resumed and the bands finish up their set. Despite the sound problems Fall Out Boy are still very entertaining and it’s easy to see just why they have managed to gain such a large fan base. As the Civic emptied and the sweat dripped from the walls I don’t think anyone left disappointed | 
