Yesterday, I was driving in the car when the news came on the radio. I heard how a Warrington band called Viola Beach had died in a car crash, along with their manager in Sweden where they were on an international tour. The News Reader mentioned how the band were on the cusp of making it big. So sad, especially for their loved ones.
Later on, while driving they played one of Viola Beach’s tracks. The track was great, they were undoubtably talented and the sound reminded me of Manchester band The 1975. So I have bought all of Viola Beach’s 3 tracks on iTunes.
You can listen to Viola Beach’s tracks on SoundCloud below:
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The warm-up bands varied in quality. The Hipstones were terrible. Gabrielle Sterbenz as a three piece girlband had charisma and a good stage presence. Mike Doughty I just remember being rather annoying, tall and bald. After about an hour of warm-up bands, it was time for the main event.
Warm Up Act 1 – Gabrielle Sterbenz.
Warm Up Act 2 – Mike Doughty
Brendan B. Brown was superb. He hit all of the high notes in the songs with precision, despite a chest cold that he’d apparently caught in Ireland. Rather than a setlist Brown encouraged the audience to shout out the tracks that they wanted to hear.
The audience were not shy, shouted out and Wheatus played. The audience started out with head nodding as the band played. The alcohol flowed, more familiar tracks were played and the audience responded by properly rocking out.
Here are some Wheatus photos from the gig:
Time For Wheatus!
Wheatus – Taking song requests from the audience.
Wheatus – Singing one of their classics (1).
Wheatus – Singing one of their classics (2).
Wheatus played all of their tracks on their self titled album, including: A Little Respect, Sunshine, Truffles, Hump ‘Em N Dump ‘Em, Hey, Mr. Brown, Leroy, Punk Ass Bitch, Love Is a Mutt from Hell and Wannabe Gangstar.
Wheatus about to sing the finale – Teenage Dirtbag (1).
Wheatus about to sing the finale – Teenage Dirtbag (2).
Wheatus about to sing the finale – Teenage Dirtbag (3).
The finale was of course being their iconic song Teenage Dirtbag. Teenage Dirtbag was released in 2000 and quickly a number one in most of the charts across the world. Since then it has been covered many times, but you can’t beat seeing Brown play it live. My friend and I had a great night. Wheatus are well worth seeing, hearing and enjoying live.
