A Stunning Set
The elfin Neil Leyton is rather like a cross between Gerard Way's gothic splendour and David Bowie's androgynous energy, all bound up in a hyperactive rock bundle. The Lisbon born Canadian has an instant connection with the Austrian crowd, albeit a slim crowd on a night that's blighted by bad weather and bank holidays. Kicking off with the raunchy rock of 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' full of heavy 80's sleaze in its leering riffs, it's a great way to kick off a mammoth set that lasts a good 80 minutes!
Neil Leyton's dedication to pleasing the crowd is clear as the natural performer winds his way in an out of the audience on a number of occasions, rather like a prophet admiring his converts with an easy delight. The singer even adds a tune requested before the show into the set, despite the fact that the band haven't played it for 3 years. A definite highlight, 'Adopt-A-Terrorist' from Leyton's last album, 'The Betrayal Of The Self' sees the singer spitting venom at the American foreign/weapons policy over a tense beat, it's an explosive combination that has you just waiting for the moment that the singer picks up his guitar again with a vicious howl and launches into the song's brooding chant of, "Send food, send love, lay your weapons down".
Although Leyton's played with other bands in the past, The Ghosts seem to complement him well, the Swedish trio both look and sound the part, seeming to anticipate the spontaneous frontman's every move. Even drummer Tommie has a twinkle in his tap as he twirls his sticks through the air between vigorous beats. The length of the set does see the band stretched and obviously coated in sweat, Leyton quips that the fact the tour take its title from the full on glam romp, 'Hyperventilating' is all too apt.
An acoustic section proves a real treat as Leyton serenades us with 'Bullet' a beautiful melody from his previous album; perhaps because of the small crowd, or Leyton's natural ability to make the crowd feel at ease, the acoustic tunes feel rather like listening to a friend with the words taking on a particularly intimate feel. Slipping in T-Rex riffs and honest tales of the road, Neil Leyton is an obvious showman, but one who doesn't need grand stage sets or costumes to convey his honest and endearing message. Finishing off with a rapturous cover of TV Eye where Leyton almost out writhes Iggy Pop with oozing energy, this is one group that simply can't be missed live.
The elfin Neil Leyton is rather like a cross between Gerard Way's gothic splendour and David Bowie's androgynous energy, all bound up in a hyperactive rock bundle. The Lisbon born Canadian has an instant connection with the Austrian crowd, albeit a slim crowd on a night that's blighted by bad weather and bank holidays. Kicking off with the raunchy rock of 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' full of heavy 80's sleaze in its leering riffs, it's a great way to kick off a mammoth set that lasts a good 80 minutes!
Neil Leyton's dedication to pleasing the crowd is clear as the natural performer winds his way in an out of the audience on a number of occasions, rather like a prophet admiring his converts with an easy delight. The singer even adds a tune requested before the show into the set, despite the fact that the band haven't played it for 3 years. A definite highlight, 'Adopt-A-Terrorist' from Leyton's last album, 'The Betrayal Of The Self' sees the singer spitting venom at the American foreign/weapons policy over a tense beat, it's an explosive combination that has you just waiting for the moment that the singer picks up his guitar again with a vicious howl and launches into the song's brooding chant of, "Send food, send love, lay your weapons down".
Although Leyton's played with other bands in the past, The Ghosts seem to complement him well, the Swedish trio both look and sound the part, seeming to anticipate the spontaneous frontman's every move. Even drummer Tommy has a twinkle in his tap as he twirls his sticks through the air between vigorous beats. The length of the set does see the band stretched and obviously coated in sweat, Leyton quips that the fact the tour take its title from the full on glam romp, 'Hyperventilating' is all too apt.
An acoustic section proves a real treat as Leyton serenades us with 'Bullet' a beautiful melody from his previous album; perhaps because of the small crowd, or Leyton's natural ability to make the crowd feel at ease, the acoustic tunes feel rather like listening to a friend with the words taking on a particularly intimate feel. Slipping in T-Rex riffs and honest tales of the road, Neil Leyton is an obvious showman, but one who doesn't need grand stage sets or costumes to convey his honest and endearing message. Finishing off with a rapturous cover of TV Eye where Leyton almost out writhes Iggy Pop with oozing energy, this is one group that simply can't be missed live. There are rarely bands that play a "perfect" set, but Neil Leyton and band's conviction, connection and dedication to the crowd sees them well deserving of this score.