We arrive just as Southampton boys, Not Advised, take to the stage in the O2 Academy Oxford 2, their pop-punk reminiscent of Mayday Parade, We the Kings and the like. ‘The World’s Not Ready’ in particular goes down a treat. However you always feel that they’re on the brink of something that could be outstanding. Maybe it’s because they’re only tonight’s support, and, taking that into account, the band’s set should’ve won them several new fans.
The evening’s headliners are soon-to-be-massive Deaf Havana. Having already supported Young Guns, Underoath, Dance Gavin Dance and, slightly left field, Feeder just this year the Norfolk quartet also have a support slot on the massive You Me At Six tour later in October. You can see how big they’re getting by the fact that a good number of their headline dates have sold out, with only a handful of tickets available for the remaining dates.
Beginning with ‘Smiles All Round’, the band’s single from September last year, the band are flawless in renditions of songs new and old, including ‘Oh Howard, You Crack Me Up’, the track for the band’s first ever video back in early 2009.
Maybe it’s the band, and the ridiculous amount of shows they play, or maybe it’s the crowd, but there seems to be a slight lack of energy about the display. Even signature tracks ‘Friends Like These’ and ‘Another Day In This House’ don’t get the crowd into the usual sing-a-longs. Slower versions of ‘My Life Is Average’ & ‘Right Now I’m Anyone's’ seem to stutter what momentum the band had, and a cover of Nirvana’s ‘You Know You’re Right’ doesn’t hit home with the mainly teenage girl audience.
Concluding the set with ‘hit’ song ‘Nicotine and Alcohol’ does bring about some crowd reaction, but many seem to be there because they’ve heard that Deaf Havana are meant to be the next big thing, rather than because of their love for the band.
They most definitely are the next big thing, especially with their upcoming support of You Me At Six. Generally a very good live band this show could be put down as just a blip on their record, they’re still a good band to go and see if you get the chance.
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Concluding the set with ‘hit’ song ‘Nicotine and Alcohol’ does bring about some crowd reaction, but many seem to be there because they’ve heard that Deaf Havana are meant to be the next big thing, rather than because of their love for the band.
