No Use For A Name at Islington's Carling Academy
It is debatable over the way the band began their set over whether it was a marketing marvel or quite confusing. I am in the marketing marvel category on the reason being that I had previously heard the bands new material before the show. For fans that had not had this experience quite yet, they may have been a little bewildered when the opening track ‘Biggest Lie’ was a song from their remarkable new album ‘The Feel Good Record Of The Year’, rather than a well-known, party popper of an opener. As the band well sated, this is their way of promoting their new album, and what a fine job they did.
For fans old and new, tracks from the bands wide discography were performed including hits such as ‘Let Me Down’, ‘Bright From The Jacket’ and ‘I Wanna Be Wrong’. For the parents in the crowd (yes were a few supervising their young teens), there was something special thrown in, a cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ went down a storm with the crowd, as did a Misfits cover. The most energy driven and electric atmosphere came when the lads performed a special rendition of the Pogues Christmas sing-along ‘Fairytale Of New York’; I guess with all the snow we have been having lately, it can get a little disorientating with remembering which month we are in.
One the most sensational feelings about the band was the crowd as there were people of all ages. From teen girls and guys, to grown ladies and lads to grandma and grandpa’s, there was an appreciative and enthusiastic atmosphere towards the band.
One thing that was very noticeable and that the crowd, myself included, did find disappointing and a little distracting was at the very start of the set where Matt Riddle’s microphone wasn’t working. Poor lad kept screaming his hardest but his voice couldn’t be heard for the first four songs. Likewise, even the talented Tony Sly had to scream for the majority of the first track to be heard. Islington has to be given credit for the fact that they got their toughest of techies out to sort the problem as quickly as possible. The band never let this get in their way of giving an amazing performance; they overcame the difficulties with an explosive set.
No Use For A Name gave an energetic, powerful and enjoyable performance throughout the night with the crowd leaving feeling contented and on a buzz. They made it extra special by including no encore because as they stated, this was something bands do to take a breath and it wastes time; and I have to agree.