The most anticipated gig of the year? It certainly was for me at least. I’ve been a fan since Doncaster Live 2010 but catching them live takes some doing. A kind of treat em mean, keep em keen attitude. Rather that then play every week though. It means when they do play there’s a buzz around town as soon as the date’s announced.
This was my first chance to catch the full band live since The Garage Bar gig in September 2011. The new stuff I’d heard is immense so it was with great excitement and huge expectations that I arrived at The Social Bar Friday night about 2 hours early!
Support came from Liberty Ship. 4 young lads from Sheffield already being mentored by Reverend and the Maker’s Jon McLure. A quality set to an appreciative crowd that finished with The Who’s My Generation. It was a brilliant mess, just how it should be.
Bang Bang Romeo kick off with Right Now from new EP Adore Me. It’s a stunning track, Starsie’s voice already soaring to heights other singers can only dream of. She’s the best singer in Doncaster . End of. She’s got one of the best voices I’ve ever heard.
Ross Cameron’s guitar effortlessly trading licks with Anastasia’s voice as they power through the opening numbers, pausing only for Stars to chat with the crowd like they are all old friends and to apologise to her Gran for swearing.
Ross looks cool as despite the sweat box the Social has become as he shows his dark side on the second EP track of the night, Just To See You Run. The song kicks in and the rhythm section of new bass player Joel Phillips and guest drummer, Richie Stott (White Valentine) keep the song driving through with Stars bansheeing all over it. It’s epic.
And then it’s Chemical. A long time fan favourite, a haunting and beautiful song. The crowd, word perfect, give Starsie’s voice a rest. In 25 years of local gigs I have never seen a reaction like this. It’s already an ‘I was there’ gig and we’re only half way through.
A tip to Fleetwood Mac with The Chain and a chance for Joel to show off his undeniable talent before the final two EP tracks of the night. A reworked Bones and the anthemic Adore Me.
Wally Lopez’s Keeping Running The Melody is thrown into the mix and just to show how diverse this band are they finish with Invitation, a proper balls out rock monster.
Tonight was everything I hoped for and more. If there’s any justice in the world Bang Bang Romeo will be massive. And when they are you’ll say you were at this gig. It was that huge.
Just don’t make me wait another 18 months for the next gig!
Set List
Right Now
Carnival
Just To See You Run
Chemical
The Chain
Bones
Adore Me Dear
Beautiful World
Keeping Running The Melody
Invitation
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