Scottish Rockers Light Up Cardiff
A chilly Tuesday night in Cardiff was the setting for Fatherson's first headline show in the city – they've been here before supporting bands like Enter Shikari, but their steady rise through the UK rock wasteland since mid-2014's 'I Am An Island' has seen them return under their own steam.
Why We Love provided the local(ish) support to get proceedings under way. The Cardiff and Bristol based four piece purvey the kind of perfectly inoffensive radio friendly indie pop that would find itself at home on a day-time Radio 1 show, but poor execution on the night let them down.
After the awkward lull between bands that you only get in a dramatically under-filled venue, Newcastle quartet Boy Jumps Ship took the stage. These lads play quintessential British alt-rock - big riffs, big drums, and hooks. Upcoming single "Turn Up The Radio" was their set's highlight, slotting some unfortunately clichéd lyrics into a big, memorable chorus. Despite keeping the energy levels high throughout their set, the repetitive nature of their songs left the thirty something strong crowd wanting for a bit more.
Since the release of their 2014 album 'I Am An Island', Scotland's Fatherson have been on the rise. Shows like tonight show how the band can give the small crowd the kind of performance that would be at home in a much larger venue in front of a lot more people.
The band's busy touring schedule has seen them become tighter and more confident than ever before, demonstrated by the four-piece opening with new track "Always", which proved a popular choice with those in attendance. From the opening track to the last, Ross Leighton's Scottish-tinged vocals were pitch perfect, something you don't see a lot at this end of the live music spectrum. He has the ability to switch from tender and delicate to powerful and emotive in the blink of an eye, shown in moments like the fragile opening to "Foreign Waters" or older fan favourite "I Like Not Knowing".
I can't go this whole review without giving a mention to Fatherson's tech, who is possibly the best tech I have ever seen. After laying towels, beers and water out for each of the band members before their set (he even opened the bottles!) he provided backing vocals, tuned guitars, and fixed problems like a man on fire. Good on you, pal.
Fatherson handled the awkwardness of playing to a room with thirty people in with some endearingly shy banter, and the quips traded between bassist Marc Strain and Leighton created the kind of intimacy only seasoned pros can get out of such a situation. This provided a great atmosphere for the band's music, which flits regularly between intimate fragility and wide-screen intensity, and connected with the audience in a way you just don't regularly get at these kinds of gigs.
Ultimately, it's because of these elements that Fatherson are one of the UK's best up and coming acts, and why their rise will surely continue into the future. 9/10.
COMMENTS
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He has a fantastic singing voice, look forward to hearing more from them! Nice to know they are an act who can form their own immersive atmosphere if the current one isn't good enough.
