Short Sharp And Vicious
Seeing a band set up their own equipment is a strange thing. Somewhat unnerving, somewhat humbling you not sure whether their doing out of choice or simply because no one else would want to but as the members of Aiden put together their drums and tune their guitars you can’t help but warm to them, after all they’re high up on the set list to be doing such a thing.
Immediately launching into the aggressively infectious ‘Last Sunrise’ Aiden set the tone for tonight’s set; short sharp and fierce. Quickly delving into ‘Die Romantic’ and poignantly dedicating it to Hawthorne Height’s guitarist Casey Calvert who died recently singer wiL Francis skulks across the stage, engagingly animated as fists punch the air and choruses of “die romantic” echo throughout. Raising the stakes higher ‘We’ll Sleep Forever’ instantly sends a shock wave of energetic enthusiasm through the crowd with Francis at one point getting bassist Nick Wiggins in a head lock before spinning the microphone as frantically as a demented windmill. Tonight though isn’t only about Francis’ helicopter antics, no tonight we even get to see the black clothed front man attempt to dance as he encourages all to do like wise for ‘Teenage Queen’, an irresistibly pop song in rough clothing that instantly livens all. Latest single ‘One Love’ also makes an appearance before the short set comes to a close in usual Aiden riotous style as a wall of death eventually forms to start ‘I Set My Friends On Fire’ in a brutally violent fashion.
Collecting an army of haters that seem to dislike the band for the fun of it, Aiden are a band that you either love or loathe, either way though you can not deny their live appeal. Vigorously captivating and aggressively engaging Aiden are a great live band and for those at Brixton who wanted to hate Francis had a message; you’ve just given the band half an hour of your life so to put it simply, “ha fucking ha”. Aiden, you’ve gotta love them really.