Amplifier’s homecoming was always going to be a raucous affair and sure enough, no sooner had the first gap in proceedings come than there were chants for songs, chants for the band, chants even for Neil Mahony to give it a go on a bass solo.  | | Amplifier (pic: Shirlaine Forrest) |
“Neil,” grinned his partner in crime, frontman and guitarist Sel Balamir, “the number one rule of showbusiness is you’ve got to give the people what they want.” And so a bass solo followed. Yet for all this friendly banter and the occasional stage invasion, there was still something slightly unconvincing about the trio. Their latest album, Insider, is a sprawling piece that sometimes gets lost in its own ideas, and the same is true of their live show. As much as Sel wheels about, as much as Neil strikes poses, as much as Matt hammers away at the drums and lifts his hands aloft, the newer tracks simply don’t live up to the potential of the band.  | | Amplifier (pic: Shirlaine Forrest) |
Not that it mattered to the crowd. Start to finish, they were out to have a good time and to welcome home their battling heroes. It’s been a long road for them in recent times and just to have them still making music is enough. Next time around, they might need something extra to please the masses. For now, smiles and massive chunks of noise will just about do. | 
