Photo Credit: Lee Hammond

Atmosphere can make or break a gig. There are shows when it's palpable; anticipation and emotion entwining in to something almost tangible. Then there are shows like tonight, shows in which a disparate crowd form a mass of uncertainty, irrespective of universally high expectations. There are those here for whom going to gigs is a regular occurrence, there are those for whom the small-by-comparison Academy is a far cry from their past experiences of commercial arena shows and then there are those for whom this is quite clearly their first taste of live music. All are here in equal numbers and through no fault of their own make for an uneasy and somewhat timid audience.

Of course, all this is viewed from the Academy's balcony, and so any atmosphere there was may have been lost on its journey upwards. Having never managed to land tickets that have allowed us the pleasure of being up here however, it made little sense to turn them down, and what we may have lost in atmospherics was certainly made up for in both sight and sound. Each gorgeous synth loop and saccharine vocal hook is delivered and executed perfectly, the only sound issues appear when Chvrches heavier elements ('Science/Visions' for example) see the bass crackle above all else, though this rarely detracts from a band who are, quite clearly, in razor sharp form.

There's very little on-stage patter from Lauren Mayberry and co, and as such the band plough from track to track with a steadfast determination and incredible precision. Only when we're informed that the “tambourine section”of the show has come to an end do you get the first taste of Mayberry's dry wit. “You're humouring me” she adds with a wry smile.

The first of two new tracks this evening is the recently revealed 'Get Away'. A welcome inclusion, the track gets a solid reception despite its relative recentness, and marks an improvement in the atmosphere, especially when followed up two songs later with 'Recover' the most well received track thus far.

A review of any Chvrches gig wouldn't be complete without a mention of the fit-inducing light show that accompanies their performances. Lasers and smoke machines make a hallucinatory experience for the digital age; this isn't a kaleidoscopic mushroom fancy however, more a sensory staccato assault with the figure of Mayberry ever silhouetted against the neon pinks and blues.

Closing out the main set with the inevitable 'The Mother We Share' sees the atmosphere once again ramp up, though it's still not befitting of the band's effort, nor execution. Last time we saw Chvrches it was impossible to escape this song, but not having it rammed down our throats almost hourly by national radio has allowed it to once again grow on us, and there's definitely a reason why it's the band's biggest single. An expected three track encore sees yet another new song in the form of 'Dead Air' sandwiched between album closer 'You Caught the Light' and fan-favourite 'By the Throat' which ends the proceedings in a suitably emphatic manner.

Minor bass quibbles aside, you couldn't ask for a more perfect set from a band who really have little more than a solitary album in their repertoire. Note perfect, genuinely funny on the occasions they talk, and with an ability to write huge sounding pop songs with blistering choruses and sugary synths that, one would have thought, would make it impossible not to dance. Unfortunately however tonight is marred by a lack of atmosphere, something absolutely out of Chvrches' hands. We can only hope that, come March and the new album, the inevitable supporting tour will see a much more engaged Manchester crowd that lives up to the exemplary sets the band perform.  

Jamie T is finally back with a new album Carry on the Grudge and it’s been worth the long wait. If anything just to have him back on the road with his explosive live show. Tonight, said live show rolls into Newcastle. Bringing with him band of the moment Slaves, who are here to tear the roof of any and every venue they can.

Slaves take to the stage first in rather visceral style. Yet another powerful duo a cheap comparison could be Royal Blood, however, we’re quick to note that Slaves are a lot more than that, they posses something which Royal Blood lack. Slaves have Isaac who has buckets of style charisma and one hell of a voice, Slaves set is mind blowing.

This is our first time in the company of the band; their hardcore punk is a real breath of fresh air. If nothing else, it blows the cobwebs away with its ear-splitting volume and tonight the guys are i particularly high spirits. They have a brilliant knack for writing great songs too ‘Girl Fight’ being a particular favourite. Arguably though the stand out track of the night has to be ‘Where’s Your Car Debbie’ which is preceded by an awesome tale of how the song was conceived.

Moving from the completely sublime and brilliant Slaves to Jamie T could have gone either way, there’s a real air of anticipation chants of Jamie! Jamie! Increase as the crowd become ever restless. As the anticipation reaches its height, the lights go down and on to the stage emerge his band, before he bursts out of the blocks and into the firing line of this heaving crowd.

He seems fired up and ready for a rowdy Monday night, we’re a little hesitant however, as its been so long. Any pre-conceptions are quickly dispelled as ‘Limits Lie’ rings out, Jamie is in fine form bouncing all over the stage. With a plethora of tracks from his back catalogue on show this evening, a personal favourite, ‘Salvador’, sounds as fresh as ever.

He delivers it with such a snarl there’s a purposeful ferocity in his delivery, it’s the opener to a few of Jamie’s older tracks. All of which possess something slightly different to his current output, the fire in Panic Prevention is now being channelled in a slightly different way. ‘So Lonely was the Ballad’ - another of these tracks – harbours grit and a fire. Though that’s not to say the newer tracks don’t have this.

‘The Prophet’ is a guitar-laden ballad which retains Jamie’s inimitable style whilst putting a different spin on it. He’s a multi-talented genius; he throws himself around the stage as the crowd replicate this. Bodies pour over the barriers as the opening chords to ‘Sheila’ ring out, and just this morning we were reading a review stating that he wasn’t playing his biggest hit on tour.

However, this evening ‘Sheila’ is back in force, to say the crowd went wild would be a humongous understatement. We’re truly in awe of this man's brilliance, and the track still sounds as good as the first time we heard it some seven or eight years ago. Its safe to say that Jamie’s work has not aged at all.

He saves his latest catchy number until the very end, as current monster hit ‘Zombie’ rings out throughout the venue. It’s a typical Jamie T single there is a huge hook and a chorus that will not leave our heads for days on end. As we leave we cannot help but hum Zombie all the way home, still totally enthralled by what we’d experienced.

Tonight sees Honeyblood finally return to Newcastle, and it's been a long time coming. As such, it sees them take on the larger of the two venues, packing in a hefty crowd. We unfortunately, once again, miss local support Zyna Hell, ever elusive we make a (another) mental note and endeavour to catch her next time she plays.

Yet another great duo grace the stage this evening; the latest in a long line of contemporary duos (we’ve caught Royal Blood, Deap Vally and Public Service Broadcasting before, all of whom have proved to us they can produce a noise that will rival any three, four or five piece band) and tonight is no different, as Honeyblood bursting out of the traps with pounding drums and brilliantly jangly guitars. Another band in which it’s almost impossible to believe that there’s only two of them up there. With a limited back catalogue, the girls are quick to point out that they’ll be unleashing everything they have this evening.

And what a treat this proves to be. Tracks like ‘Fall Forever’ sound amazing with the huge bright guitars and monolithic drums. We’re left aghast by the power and this is only the early part of their set; the heaving crowd enthused by the energy radiating from the stage.

Hitting their stride, ‘Choker’ goes down a storm. Arguably the best track of the evening, the drums pound and the lyrics are delivered with real purpose and grit, a real fire manifested in a snarl that perhaps isn’t as obvious in other tracks. Once again we’re taken aback by the brilliance of this twosome.

There is an odd moment in the set though where they stop to play a fan request, which came via Twitter, breaking in to a rendition of ‘Walking In The Air’. To us this seems somewhat out of character, yet it yields one of those brilliantly hilarious moments in a bands history that potentially wont be repeated for some time to come, if ever.

They close out their main set with the awesome ‘Killer Bangs’. Another bright chirpy slice of indie rock, though perhaps not as gritty as other tracks, airing slightly on the poppier side. Yet it still seems the perfect way to close out what has been something of an eclectic evening, one thing that remains constant is these girls’ talent.  

I've been an avid follower of Graham Day's music for more years that I care to remember. How time flies! But I haven't seen Graham Day, Allan Crockford and Wolf Howard play together since the formation of the Forefathers last year. The last time was as The Solarflares in the early '00s. I figured it was time to put that right, and when I was given the opportunity to review this gig I grabbed it with both hands, and booked my flight.

I arrive at the 229 venue on Great Portland St. around 9pm, full of excitement. There is a distinct buzz and general good vibe in the air. The Fallen Leaves are halfway through their set already, nicely warming up the crowd - and is it just me or is the stage really high? There's a good crowd here. Predominantly male and middle aged mostly dressed in '60s attire - more about that later; and I'm pleased when I see some fellow females dancing down at the front.   

Lest we forget that tonight's gig also marks the band's official album launch. Good Things is a much aniticipated compilation of re-recordings which spans the careers of The Prisoners, The Prime Movers (first album), the painfully underrated (and my favourite) Solarflares, with a few more recent Gaolers numbers thrown in there for good measure.

Once the Leaves have wrapped up their set (with a nice cup of tea - you had to be there!), there is a short break for DJ Dave Edwards to spin a few '60s British tunes, leading us nicely onto the main attraction.

The Forefathers open, appropriately, with the no nonsense 'Good Things'. Then onto a relentless and groovy Solarflares number 'You Want Blood' - filled with Day’s trademark screams - "hold onto to the seat of your pants" I tell myself. The excitement of the crowd is palpable, and they’ve only been on stage for 8 minutes! They carry on with a couple more Solarflares numbers (hooray!), until Prisoner's classic - 'Be On Your Way' with its unmistakable 'Midnight To Six' on speed intro. The crowd erupts at this point - I have the feeling that a lot people here have been devoted fans of The Prisoners / Day since the early '80s, and I'm not kidding when I say that I'm feeling the love in the room. I look around, and I can't honestly see anyone that isn't singing along. 'Open Your Eyes', (a personal favourite from The Solarflares era) is next, and Day comments afterwards that B sides are always better than A sides. We, the crowd, concur; but it has to be said the A side 'Reflections' is also a killer.

'Sitar Spangled Banner' goes down a storm, Day and Crockford both man-handling their guitars at this point, throwing them this way and that. Day's rubbing his guitar all over the speakers. I watch his foot as it skillfully works the various effects pedals - wah-wah and fuzztone, you are truly spoiling us.   

It is however The Prisoners songs that really move the crowd this evening. They play the poppy and melodic 'I Am The Fisherman', but things really reach an epiphany with a passionate rendition of 'Coming Home'. The crowd is going bonkers at this point, in a good way. I look around and see a wave of buttoned-down males surging forward, hugging each other and singing their hearts out. Crockford says at one point "let's see you bust some moves over your beer guts!" a playful and affectionate dig at the said middle-aged crowd, followed by "oh alright, just your beer guts then"! Cheeky monkey.

This is where it gets a bit sketchy; I was too busy dancing around at this point and lost all interest in writing the tracks down on my trusty notepad.  

The Forefathers return to do two final numbers; fabulous Barry Grey-esque instrumental 'Lunar Girl', and finishing aptly with a final Prisoners song 'Reaching My Head'. Exit stage left. A couple of guys in the crowd shout out "Nags Head!", I can only presume that they are referring to the pub in Rochester, and I'm only aware of this because I have recently read the excellent The Kids Are All Square - A History Of Medway Punk by Ian Snowball & Bob Collins (but that's another review).

With the combination of Day, Crockford and Howard there appears to be no pretence, no frills, no ego, no act. They are just doing what they do, and it's so true and pure - triple distilled if you like. They are surely at their peak, sounding better and stronger than ever. Day recently said in an interview that writing lyrics was hard work, but look at the results. I'm hoping, I'm sure like the rest of the crowd, that there will be more to come in the way of new releases, perhaps new material? The Forefathers are so unified in what they do, they are a wall of sound that could knock you off your feet, not to mention blow your mind.  

Good Things is available from amazon & iTunes.