With a rather late arrival and with apologies to them, we miss WE’LL DIE SMILING tonight, but by all accounts they’re well worth checking out, and we’ll be doing that next time we get a chance.
FORMER THIEVES have the main support slot this evening, and despite The Fighting Cocks not sounding its best, they don’t sound half bad. There’s been quite a lot of chatter about the band in the run up to this tour, and though they’re not really reinventing the wheel, there’s no doubt that there’s something about them that keeps you watching. A solid performance, but it’d be great to see them in less “muddy” surroundings.
Next (and finally), LA DISPUTE take to the stage, and With the venue already sweating its balls off, the bobble hats start nodding away to the intricacies of the Michigan mob.
Tonight, the band primarily show off new material, and despite the fact it’s easily their strongest work to date, the older tracks do go down better. The crowd here know better than to demand ‘King Park‘ of the band (who’ve previously said it’s too “emotionally draining” to include in the set), but it really would have been a fine addition to an impressive setlist.
Kingston crowds are always amongst the most attentive in the UK, and there’s little doubt that LA DISPUTE command focus from whoever they’re put in front of, so tonight’s captivating from start to finish. There’s exciting and unique about the band, and the live setting really hammers home the thought processes and emotions behind each track. Vocally, it’s probably not going to go down as Jordan’s finest performance, but it doesn’t really end up mattering at all.
Those hoping for a big reach backwards may have felt a little disappointed with the song selection, but those who find the band’s songwriting gets better and better as time goes on will have enjoyed it as much as we did.
TOM AYLOTT