With only two days since the release of their latest opus, ‘We Are Not Robots’, I found my way treading the boards of the M62 over the Pennines to the Academy 2 for another evening with the lovely gents from Bradford. Having had the new album pretty much on constant repeat, the new anthems were firmly engraved into my mind, and I could not wait to hear them in the live setting for the first time, alongside all the classic psalms which we all know and love.
As I ventured into the venue I couldn’t help but be amazed by how full the room was for the support band, the fantastic Bar Stool Preachers, who had obviously built up a significant following from the seemingly endless rounds of touring which they seem to have been on over recent years.
As the lights went down and the band stormed the stage, it was well and truly time to get the party started with their blend of ska-tinged rock, and the whole place simply ignited from the off. The vocals were delivered with enthusiasm and gusto, while the string work from both flanks was effortless and flawless, with each chord and riff being delivered with overflowing pride and passion from the fretboards. With the set flowing with full force, the crowd were involved and were dispatching the lyrics backstage wards with as much energy and enthusiasm as was being omitted from above them, each word being forwarded from the pit with true desire and vigour.
As they signed off with their namesake anthem, ‘Bar Stool Preacher’, the whole venue lost themselves and went crazy, a vision and audio which was empowering and endearing to witness. A perfect set and probably the best I have ever seen of the Preacher boys to date.
Then, onto the main event, the banner dropped, and blue perimeter speaker stacks were unveiled. The anthemic and addictive ‘Discotheque Wreck’ kicked in, and the energy was unleashed. Tony was his usual flamboyant kangaroo-esque self, bouncing around the stage and directing the masses to join him in unison. Leigh tamed his thicker strings with muscular dexterity and an ostentatious persona, which is truly packed full of natural charm, which multiplies with every meeting we have with him.
With each track that passed, Mark was his usual charismatic rock star self, striking poses left, right and centre, plying his trade with his Les Paul with an obvious ease and ability which many would struggle to replicate. Terrorvision hymn after Terrorvision hymn was transited with increasing momentum, ‘Alice What’s The Matter’ prompted a rousing rendition which was mirrored by the sold-out crowd, ‘My House’ surely obliterated many a vocal chord from the crowd and ‘Josephine’ was absolutely phenomenal on the Mancunian soil tonight. ‘D’Ya Wanna Go Faster’ was absolutely flawless and saw the pogoing turned up to an eleven by the Terrorvision faithful, while ‘Some People Say’ enabled the energy to gain a little respite within the evening’s setlist.
It was really good to hear passionate versions of ‘New Policy One’ and ‘Still The Rhythm’ while ‘Pretend Best Friend’ was most probably a highlight of the set for many of those in attendance, considering the reaction it attracted. The new album was represented by a sextet of absolute bangers, ‘Baby Blue’ was smooth and curvaceous while
‘Electrocuted’ brought a tinge of punk ridden angst to the proceedings. ‘Lucifer’ was impressive, and ‘You Gotta Want To Be Happy’ has the future anthem firmly branded into its hind quarters reminiscent of a prized bull at the rodeo. From my perspective, the set had been punctuated perfectly with the new tracks, and they fitted into the setlist as if they had been firm residents for a number of years, certainly longer than their maiden voyage, which we were setting sail on tonight.
As the set closed with the absolutely gargantuan ‘Oblivion’ and the sweat-soaked career-spanning tour shirts cascaded out into the crisp autumnal air, it was obvious that many were left hungry for another dose of the Terrorvision live experience, one which I’m sure many will experience yet again on this tour cycle given the dedication and love we all have for these northern rockers.
