It is the third night of a five date UK tour and three piece Scottish band BIFFY CLYRO have arrived in Preston. The venue is 53 Degrees, the place is SOLD OUT and the gathered flock are pumped for this one. Expectations are high and the stage looks great. There is a cool backdrop, a drum kit with more cymbals than the local Soundcontrol shop, a giant guitar rack full of Fender Strats and several huge speaker cabinets adorning the stage. The scene is set, will Biffy do the business?
They certainly have the experience, but what about talent? They started their first band together in the mid nineties, and as Biffy Clyro, have produced four albums since 2000. Their latest release “Puzzle” is said to be their most complete and personal album to date. The buzz and hype from various music fans press leads me to believe that these guys are special. I do love three piece bands when they get it right. I find the skill levels have to be high because there are less instruments to create the sound and the dynamics are more immediate. So... Am I to receive and audible delight and be giving the stamp of approval to Biffy Clyro tonight?
As Simon (Guitar and Lead Vocals), James (Bass and Vocals) and Ben (Drums and Vocals) enter the stage they receive a great and loud raucous reception and from the off, it is a sing-a-dance- along spectacle. For the most part, the audience seem to be very knowledgeable and dedicated fans. Every song is acknowledged with roars, whistles and whoops, with every lyric sung by the crowd being accurate and yet respectful, so as to still be able to hear the performance of what I have to confirm, are a band every bit as good as I have been informed they would be.
Playing through a nice varied set of their old but mainly new songs, Simon Neil gives his all, with a high octane vocal and guitar treat of intense showmanship. He dances between two microphones and forces the guitar tech to work very hard, requiring guitar changes on virtually every song but, to noted great affect. James Johnson is superb on bass, grooving and singing with great flair and focus. Ben Johnson is nicely proficient on the kit, at times showing subtle finesse into epic attack with excellent vocals too.
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Apart from a couple of sloppy changes and the odd stumbling ending, the songs are played with a high degree of skill, good dynamics and with a smile. It is a joy to witness such a hard working group of friends having fun and putting on a great show. The performance is energetic and captivating, the interaction between the band is good to see. Biffy Clyro are indeed a finely honed and pretty tight three piece outfit.
The audience, a diverse throng of varying age, clothes styles and from places all over the UK... love it! The hard hitting, stomper of a set, including songs such as “Folding Stars”, “Semi-Mental”, “Saturday Superhouse”, and the latest single “Who's Got A Match” ( to which the audience went mental ) included some more mellow tunes along with my favourite moment of the gig, “Machines”, has the capacity crowd hooked. they jump about and sing along from the first note to the last.
I have to be honest I am impressed, Biffy Clyro have educated this audience with a right royal lesson on how a band should be. Lets face it only a highly rated and accomplished live act would attain the honour of being the support act for Queens Of The Stone Age on the European leg of their tour.
This gig was great fun, an audible delight. I think Biffy Clyro have achieved the approval of many music fans across the board. May they stamp their authority across the pond as well as here and across Europe. Earning their rightful place as a great British rock band. Fantastic.
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