Struggling To Survive
With a queue snaking its way all around Brixton Academy, circling the block until it winds half way down the high street Circa Survive's first jaunt into Brixton is somewhat smaller than it should be with half the crowd still standing outside on the pavement and the rest struggling to catch their breath after rushing through more security checks than at boarder control. But that's not the band's only concern tonight. Humbly announcing that this is the biggest crowd they've ever played for, Anthony Green has let everyone know just how nervous his band are and when you add to this the unforgiving acoustics of Brixton Academy, it doesn't bode well for the Philadelphia five piece.
Pausing only to make polite conversation with the crowd, Circa Survive race through their set, giving little indication that one song has ended before ploughing into the next and whilst Green has the potential to be an engaging front man, shimming around the stage like a knock off Adam Lazzara, there's little to fully engage your attention with those stuck up in the balcony left wondering if the entire set consisted of just one endless song.
Not all is lost though. When glimpses of 'The Difference Of Between' sparkle you are teasingly shown how much better the band would be in a smaller venue whilst 'The Greatest Lie' is able to resonate with the emo contingent of the crowd and if that's not enough Green and his gang go to play, according to them, the prettiest venue yet. Not a complete waste of time then.