FRIGHTENED RABBIT
Anson Rooms, Bristol | November 7th
After releasing their major label debut earlier this year, Frightened Rabbit have doubtless turned a few new heads in their direction. But judging by the reaction of tonight’s crowd, gaining fans has never really been a problem for the boys from Selkirk as we are treated to an impassioned and edifying performance.
First up in the University of Bristol’s Anson Rooms is Newcastle’s Lanterns On The Lake, who turn out a surprising level of noise for a group with an accordion player. Employing such other folky paraphernalia as a harmonica and violin mixed with thundering drums and tremolo guitar lines, Lanterns produce a busy sound which is at times euphoric, at times hard to penetrate. The “musical octopus”, as they are described by a couple standing nearby, nevertheless get a warm reception from the crowd, who further erupt when Frightened Rabbit hit the stage.
From the off the audience are hurling the words of each song back at the band. By the third song, Nothing Like You, a jubilant Scott Hutchison has declared his love for the city and invited everyone to pogo along to, as he puts it, one of the few Frightened Rabbit songs that could warrant such a dance. It’s not quite The Ramones at CBGBs but there’s enough fingers jabbing the air and bouncing bodies to crank up the energy levels in the crowd and on the stage. Clearly adored by the many fans here, the band are clearly having a blast, with frontman Scott’s dry humour and charming stage presence greasing the wheels.
The set is a triumphant mix of material from across all four albums, lapped up by an enraptured crowd (if ever there could be surer evidence of this fact, it’s that the usual glow of phone screens greedily snapping pictures is notably absent). Between album cuts such as Old Old Fashioned, a stomping folk number from 2008’s acclaimed Midnight Organ Fight, there’s fan favourite Music Now, singles Fast Blood and Heads Roll Off, as well as outings for material from latest album Pedestrian Verse, notably State Hospital and set closer The Oil Slick.
Stamping feet and applause from the audience demand an encore, which the boys duly deliver with a soaring rendition of recent single The Woodpile, a beefy and infectious sing-along which is propelled by intricate guitar-work. Despite a pledge not to perform it all year, the bittersweet Keep Yourself Warm is played to a rapturous reception and things wrap up in an atmosphere of celebration. Hutchison’s announcement that this will be the last lot of shows from Frightened Rabbit for a while adds to the sense that tonight’s performance is not just another tour date so much as a victory lap – one enjoyed at every moment.
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Words + Photo: Andrew Broaks
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