Taking Back Sunday - Camden Roundhouse, London - 20th May 2011 (Live Review)
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Written by Chris Jefferies
"Have you met my friend John Nolan?" Adam Lazzara casually asks a feverish crowd of Taking Back Sunday devotees. Nolan? The original guitarist and backing vocalist who left eight years ago in acrimonious circumstances? Yes, I think we have actually. Getting the old band back together has drawn in many long-lost fans who were thrilled by their 2002 breakthrough album 'Tell All Your Friends', but there were plenty of fresh-faced youngsters who Lazzara has attracted with his more recent efforts as well.
Getting the crowd going was the seemingly outdated 'I Am Giant', whose grunge rock approach felt a little underwhelming, especially given the lead singer's limited vocal range. Scottish rockers The Xcerts shifted things up a gear with their furious yet uplifting tunes, and whilst they often sparkled, they never really shone.
The same could not be said of the headline act, who were clearly in their element. Kicking things off with 'Cute Without The E' (Cut From The Team), Taking Back Sunday successfully blended together the old and the new, chucking in an impassioned piano-tinged version of 'Everything Must Go' from their most recent album 'New Again'.
Nolan's dedicated fans were treated to a rare rendition of 'Existentialism On Prom Night', a cut from his side-project Straylight Run's 2004 eponymous debut. From this, it was clear that he and Lazzara had long since buried the hatchet, with the latter able to joke "just don't go quitting the band again, 'cos then things would get weird".
The bouncing bass-driven 'Faith (When I Let You Down)' gave fans a tantalising glimpse of next month's self-titled reunion album, but the night was all about reliving old memories and the spontaneous and thoroughly spine-tingling 'There's No I In Team' set things up perfectly for the triumphant closer 'MakeDamnSure' to bring the house down. Taking Back Sunday are back and it's like they're never been away.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
