Chunk! No Captain Chunk! Rock The Globe
For a pop-punk/rock band that have made good headway in their career thus far, it is always slightly strange to see them play such an intimate venue such as ‘The Globe’, when comparing it to large performances in the past, like their appearance at this years Download Festival. Being the last show of the year for the French quartet however, they intended to make the night as memorable as possible for the surprisingly minute turn out.
Support acts included a rowdy collection of pop-punks called Boston Manor and Trashboat, as well as a performance from a local Cardiff act named Junior, who all kept the audience adequately entertained with head-bopping beats, tales of unfortunate mid-travel illnesses and even a few out-of-the-blue back flips executed from the raised platform. Although the sudden surge of attendees had not arrived, the fans that had made the trip waited patiently until Chunk! No Captain Chunk! were all set to finish off their tour with a big bang.
The members made their way onto the smoke-covered stage and just before they burst into life, the singer raced down the flight of stairs just behind the crowd and leapt into position, microphone cocked and ready to get started.
The band opened on a deafening Drop A note as “Haters Gonna Hate” blew a breath of excited life into the audience. Immediately the blends of groups revealed and separated themselves from the herd of on-lookers. The head-bangers up the front, the tightly-squeezed, bouncing mass in the middle, the reserved folded arm head bobbers at the back and the show-sharks who would float around the edges, waiting for that moment when the inevitable first pit opened up, prepared to pounce in and unleash a form of flailing limb hell.
The momentum of the atmosphere could not be concentrated into a solid mass through the first few tracks, leaving individuals to act of their own accord while the majority swayed and lazily head-bobbed.
This little setback was quickly remedied however, when the band reached their cheeky cover of Smash Mouth’s huge hit “All Star”. This seemed to drop the fuse into the belly of the powder keg as before anyone had realised, the bulk of the bands heavier material had made its appearance, including “Reasons to turn back”, “Captain Blood” and “I’m nothing like you”.
Not only did these tracks keep the energy thriving, but they also gave birth to a reoccurring and vicious mosh-pit as well as one enthusiast frequently attempting a crowd-surf with lifting support no larger than four rows worth of people, (which did not end well on occasion).
Returning for their encore to deliver their alternative nightcap to Cardiff, Mr Poncet requested the crowd join them onstage and urged them to take as many ‘selfies’ as they possibly could, (most likely to take the pressure off the front row having a ‘Snapchat’ lens in the bands faces all night), forming not only a fitting end to a good night but most likely, a valued memory to those who enjoyed the company of the charming entourage.
Before the show, I was able to have a small chat with Bertrand Poncet about the bands time touring through Asia and the United Kingdom, as well as discussing the recent terror attacks situated in France.
To download the ‘Play For Paris’ Compilation follow the link below:
https://playforparis.bandcamp.com/
COMMENTS
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Hmmm not sure that's my scene?!
