You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

12 pm. Houston Calls and Farewell’s equipment is just being loaded in. Yet 7 hours before doors open on this sold out show, there are already people queuing outside the Solus in Cardiff.

Sure enough, 7 hours later those same people are still there only now behind them is a mass of mainly teenage girls. Not that this is a bad thing; it’s probably fulfilling to have such a loyal female fan base. But what does this say about their music? I’ll leave you decide, I’m just here to review the gig.

Openers Farewell were probably not widely known among the crowd, as they aren’t splashed over Kerrang! weekly like the headliners You Me At Six are. It was hard to know what to expect from Farewell’s live show, as this tour is their first experience in the UK.

Keeping it simple, Farewell went straight in to the upbeat track “Stay Pretty” from their album “Isn’t This Supposed To Be Fun!?” The house sound guy was pretty off the ball. Regardless, Farewell carried on like pros. Quickly, the crowd got into the mood of the night. There were mosh-pits to ballad “War”.

Farewell finished their set up with “First One On The Blog”, possibly their best song of the night. No doubt they left the stage having gained countless fans.

Houston Calls, having toured the UK before oozed confidence as they played. Even when the majority of people in the audience probably hadn’t heard of this band, Houston Calls had absolute control over the audience. One song had the crowd jumping, pumping fists, clapping, mosh-pitting and singing along.

Personally, I’d expect Farewell to be higher on the bill than Houston Calls, but after seeing them play it is clear that they are the more experienced band. This band has the talent to lodge melodies in your head just through their live show.

It was hard to see how You Me At Six could follow Houston Calls’ set. But, as the time came closer for them to grace the stage, I could feel the raw excitement building in the crowd.

When the lights went down and the intro music kicked in, the crowd literally erupted. I don’t think Jesus himself would have been given such an epic welcome. The first song however was quite an anti-climax. The hardcore fans loved it, but You Me At Six failed to come out with a bang. The up side was, the sound guy had got the sound balance right finally.

“Jealous Minds Think Alike”, arguably their best song came next. It was impossible not to sing along to the anthemic chorus. Then You Me At Six played “Gossip”, another one of their singles with an infectious chorus.

It was easy to see that You Me At Six love what they do, putting everything into each song. Their songs are no mercury prize-winning songs but who cares when they put on such a good show. As the night came to a close, it was truly inspiring to see such a young band that have achieved what You Me At Six have. They are definitely a band worth seeing live.

Re: You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

Wicked, I weren't sure if I wanted to see them or not, but on this review I think I might have to go and check them out. Good review!!

Re: You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

Yeah, I was surprised by how good their live show was. They put tons of energy into it.
The support acts were top class though. Made the gig awesome.

Re: You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

I went to the London show, am gonna post a review today actually, but me and my friend were in completely devided opinions over it. I really liked it, but did see a load of major flaws, where as she found the whole thing really blah and unimpressive. But I put that down to Josh's vocals sound being a bit wack - did his vocals sound really quiet to you? Or was it just a London fuck up? If you don't know the songs that well and the vocals are all quiet I can understand how she wasn't vibing with it and tarred the music as a whole regardless with that brush.

Anyway I'm clearly doing that annoying thing where I'm pretty much having a conversation with myself and figuring the answer out as I go.

Good review!

Re: You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

There was a bit of a sound problem all night
Perhaps its been a common thing all tour. Nothing YMA6 couldn't have put right in their sound check though.

Re: You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

houston calls said something about the sound not bein exactly right in the astoria, just like it wasnt exactly right for farewel in the solus sadly

Re: You Me At Six Live W/ Houston Calls and Farewell
 

i think one thing alot of bands seem to have trouble with is the sound on the lead vocals, its hardly ever loud enough.. only time i've seem anyone get it spot on was Aiden.
but it realy makes live sound sketchy.. its a shame.