Alexisonfire take on a smaller crowd
I've seen Alexisonfire play seven times in the last year, I've yet to be unimpressed, and I remain ever interested and constantly mesmerised by their live show. For a band that has been around for a relatively small amount of time, the amount of success they have achieved on this side of the Atlantic is ever impressive. Alexisonfire have been on tour with Rise Against since February, a show that is hybrid with scream along anthems with still distinctive melodies and intelligible lyrics, it pleased the scene kids and the punks alike.
After having seen Alexisonfire play at Give It A Name 05 two days previous to this show at the massive 8,000 capacity Alexandra Palace, I found that they perform much better in small venues, the sound and energy they convey are much stronger in the fairly tight fitting 800 capacity Islington Academy.
My commends on this show must go to the entire band as not a single member left me bored whilst watching them. From Dallas singing to such a high standard to Georges larger than life stage persona, as a team of singers they ooze respectively, quiet and upfront charisma. This band look like they really do enjoy being on stage, something crucial to a tight live show. Commends must also go to bass player Chris as he was positively electric, perhaps having the previous nights show cancelled giving them a day to recover from the Give It A Name festivities was just what they needed to recouperate from such a harsh touring schedule. That said, they do get better every time I see them play, as a band tighter in performance and presence together. From George climbing the side of the wall of the stage to Wades energetic guitar playing, I was enthralled.
Altogether this band is certainly only on their climb to the top, they can only go up from top tunes, that are truly spectacular to see explode live such as 'Accidents', 'Pulmonary Archery', 'Waterwings' and 'No Transitory'. Unique from all the other screamy bands out there Alexisonfire live have a style all their own, and the crowd singing along as loud as the high ceilinged venue would allow them to certainly appreciated their hyper powered stage takeover. My only criticism of this show would be I wish they could have a played longer set.
In my opinion don't write off this band until you've seen them live, they put on an incredibly electrifying stage show which overrules anything they've ever recorded. Try to catch them while they're still playing small venues, It's all together a different experience than seeing them in a larger forum, in the case of this band the more intimate the better action they provide owning the stage with every little move.