Never Forgetting Where They Came From
Ian Watkins isn't happy and it shows. A good three quarters of the way into their set he calls a halt to proceedings mid way through 'Everyday Combat', asking the crowd if that's security he sees down in the pit. The answer is of course a resounding yes, this is after all Wembley Arena and security are intent on stopping crowd surfing, moshing and even an over enthusiastic sing along but Watkins isn't best pleased. Talking to the crowd but more directly to those donning the fluorescent jackets, the Lostprophets' frontman makes it clear that such tactics aren't needed at his band's shows, sarcastically encouraging what he refers to as neo Nazis to vacate the pits and let everyone just have a good time. Dejectedly and somewhat bemused the fluorescent cadded fun quenchers do as they are told, allowing Watkins to carry on and leaving mosh pits to break out in full force. Yes, the Welsh lads have arrived at Wembley Arena at last, and have done so without forgetting where they came from.
In many ways these last arena dates have almost been like The Lostprophets' own attempts at administering the last rites to the 'Liberation Transmission' album, an album that has seen them gain access to a more mainstream crowd but one it would appear the lads from Pontyfridd are more than willing to move on from. Cloaking the stage in a white sheet, 'Heaven For The Weather, Hell For The Company' blasts around the arena walls as red spotlights pinpoint the silhouettes of each band member for all to see. Uncomplicated yes but unquestionably eye-catching, this is the type of entrance The 'Prophets' can now lay claim to as they churn out the older, more aggressive hardcore hits along side the gentler alternative rock tracks of Liberation Transmission era. 'Can't Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes)' erupts into a dance fuelled frenzy as Watkins niftily darts around the stage before slowing for the lighters to be raised for '4 AM Forever' that bleeds effortlessly into a rousing rendition of 'Last Summer'. From this its time for something new as the Welsh boys indicate that they are returning to their roots with the aggressively raw 'Atrocity' that sees those standing dissolve in a mass of colliding bodies and carnage.
Following the arena anthem blueprint, 'Rooftops' was always going to find its spiritual home on this tour, tearing its way powerfully and majestically across the room as voices soar, literally screaming their hearts out for The 'Prophets' prior to Watkins asking the now euphoric crowd to practise singing "la,la,la". Content that they have it down good enough, the Welsh dragons burst into 'A Town Called Hypocrisy' with cries of "save your sympathy" echoing from every cavity.
Not content with removing security from the pits, Watkins decides it's time Wembley Arena was torn to shreds, encouraging everyone to really go for it as a wall of death parts for the second time this evening. Teasingly building up the tension Watkins seems intent in recreating the infamous scene of Reading Festival a few years back as he invigorates the enthusiasm of the crowd to breaking point before screaming "Shinobiiiiiii!!!", climaxing their arena tour with the recklessly passionate 'Shinobi Vs Dragon Ninja" and guaranteeing a crumpled pile of bodies. Sure, they may have upset security but what Watkins and Co. did tonight was prove why they are one of the country's best rock bands, and they did it all without forgetting the fans who put them there.