Just Too Early
It was twelve months ago that Funeral for a Friend headlined the Sunday night Radio One Stage at Leeds Festival 2004 and pulled in a crowd to rival most main stage headliners. It was with that performance that the band declared they were to become something huge. The last year has taken them to 8,000 capacity headline shows, sell-out tours and a new album that's taken the world of emo by storm. Not to mention a main stage slot at The Carling Weekend 2005.
Funeral for a Friend are a band that have such potential, but they need a crowd behind them. With many people still in bed or hiding from the rain, it's a crowd far thinner than Funeral for a Friend deserve that awaits the band as they open with 'Juneau' and launch in to a technically perfect set.
Since they started, Funeral have become more relaxed and every bit the stars that they deserve to be. Every note, every solo and ever beat that they cause is just right – yet it doesn't seem enough for a rather apathetic crowd who don't seem to be that interested.
Despite fighting against the crowd, Funeral for a Friend deserve a slot higher up the bill and with more of a crowd, without a crowd to support them the band lose the intensity that they deserve. Middle of the day at a festival? Perhaps not the best place to see them. Headlining a packed venue? Don't miss them.