Fireball Tour 2017 - Reel Big Fish, Anti-Flag - Leicester Academy - Oct 13, 2017

Anti-Flag

Anti-flag where fucking great - they were so inclusive and lovely but still razor sharp and rockin'. Obviously they were political and played all my faves (except Red, White & Brainwashed, Rank 'n File, and drinkdrankpunk) but things like Turncoat, Fuck Police Brutality, 1 Trillion Dollars (can buy a lotta bling), and Die For Your Government were wicked. Lauren did me a solid and cabbed our bags over to the hotel and back cuz they wouldn't let us bring them in the front door, let alone check them (I guess cuz of all the terrorist shits) so I went wholeheartedly in the pit. They just had the positive outlook without being preachy. "We're Anti-Flag (anti as in ant-tie, not ant-tea as I always say it). Look at you - you're beautiful. You know why? Because you make the world around you. In this room, while you're with us there is no racism, no bigotry, no sexism, no hate. We are here to enjoy ourselves and for everyone around us to be able to enjoy themselves too! So slap hands with your neighbour, introduce yourselves - this life is about the relationships between people and not the divisions." They then ripped through they're take on Should I Stay or Should I Go? ("we wouldn't be here if it weren't for The Clash") and finished by moving the drumset to the pit and having the lead guitar stand on the kick drum and play the last song. Effin' brill.

Reel Big Fish
Reel Big Fish are jokers through and through. They did a decent set of a mix but appeased with a bunch of old tunes and their famous covers. Plus they did the two good songs (and only the two good songs) from their last album including Everyone Else is an Asshole. Maybe the best part was when they said "We're Reel Big Fish and we're nobody today but back in the 90's we were the bomb. This was our hit song" and then launched into Smells like Teen Spirit then stopped partway "sorry, that was a song by Metallica" then My Own Worst Enemy by Lit "sorry, that was Nickelback" then it was 500 Miles by The Proclaimers ("another from Metallica") then The Impression that I Get by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "sorry, that' was actually a number one from Less than Jake" before finally playing Sellout! Beer was obviously great and as part of the encore they had to cover Take on Me while the confetti rained down. Brought me back to my teenage days.

Mad Caddies also played and I think I caught the very end of the set but due to early set times and having to travel up to Leicester on the day it was all a blur. Pretty sure I missed Sweet Little Machine altogether.

Top Ten 2016 - Year in Review

1. Regina Spektor – Remember Us to Life

If Bleeding Heart was a promise, then this album is delivery on that promise. Expanding on those pitch-perfect vocals and the magical piano fingers, Ms. Spektor has wrapped them in creative and full production. This album has depth and covers a wide spectrum and it hits on all fronts, from singing to storytelling to grabbing you right in the chest and squeezing very hard. Take Sellers of Flowers alone... Even before her live show made me dizzy with wonder this album had already secured its rightful spot here.

2. Donovan Woods – Hard Settle, Ain't Troubled
Donovan is a wordsmith which is obvious even from each 140 characters out of @donovanwoods but when he pairs this with his guitar picking the synergy carries you off and the strings on this album make it transcendental. A devastating romantic, he can express not just one emotion but an array of inner turmoil in a tangible three minutes. It’s not just skill, it’s masterful.

3. Bon Iver – 22, A Million

Even having guiltily read some of the pre-press reviews of the album and the Eaux Claires Festival live debut I was still unsure upon the first listen. Yet, I was compelled to try again. And again. The challenge quickly paid dividends in being a thoroughly engaging and dynamic record. Boundary busting and all the other terms that have surrounded this release, it is without a doubt a true piece of art. Justin, I’d be happy as hell to stay for tea.

4. Basia Bulat – Good Advice

Basia, your confidence is showing and it’s making you glow. That luxurious voice of yours is in top form and the full band backing that you’ve surrounded it with is making my dreams come true. For all the warm feelings I have for each previous album this is the point where all that potential comes together. It’s a breakthrough and I wish for it to break you through so you can continue to push yourself and deliver the goods for ages to come. Thank you for this Good Advice.

5. Pup – The Dream is Over

After screaming along to the self-titled at as many shows as I could get myself to I was entirely resigned to the sophomore not quite living up. And yet I was completely wrong and feel like a dummy for doubting Stefan and co. for even a moment. From the first time I heard DVP to the millionth time I threatened loved ones with “if this tour doesn’t kill you, I will” and those are just the first two tracks of this blast of a record. All the props these dudes are getting are fully deserved. No pressure on that third album, fellas.

6. Wintersleep – The Great Detachment

With the top tier group of musicians in this band it’s no surprise that their output is so consistently excellent. It’s not that they are doing things that are entirely new but more that they do them so goddamn well. Whether building tension, packing punches, or excising demons they are on top of the game. Circumstances have not yet allowed me to witness The Great Detachment live so for now I will put this album on again and close my eyes.

7. John K. Samson – Winter Wheat

Further building my case that John K. is the best lyricist in this country (even with some stiff competition right here on this list) he takes that and wraps a wonderful musical experience around it. His strongest solo effort to date, surely with thanks to a few of his former rock counterparts who play alongside him here. In this post-Weakerthans world it’s reassuring that John will continue to enthral us with each lyric, each line, transporting us around the country in a perfectly worded phrase. I’ll even forgive the grammar on Postdoc Blue’s “so your presentation went terrible” because you wrapped up Virtute, even if it wrenches my heart.

8. Aidan Knight – Each Other

Delivering the full length follow up to Small Reveal that I was fearful might not be coming. Aidan lays this work out with precision and detail that allows it to whisper right where it should and burst just as it needs to. It is a river ride that washes over and engulfs the listener until you find yourself back on the beach, wet yet warm, full and refreshed.

9. Okkervil River – Away

Moving at the pace that Okkervil wants to move. It’s lovely, from the sweeping music to the poetic lyrics, without even realising the fine points I am compelled to return to it over and over.

10. White Lung – White Lung

A roar from front to back, this album is short and strong. Led by the fierce female vocals and that wandering electric guitar it just surges along with the only complaint being how quickly it finishes so you just flip it on again from the start. A real fresh breath.

Long-List Considerations

Andy Shauf - The Party

Anonhi - Hopelessness

Aqua Alta - Dreamsphere

BadBadNotGood - IV
Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial

Case/Lang/Viers - Case/Lang/Viers

Drake - Views

Kanye West - Life of Pablo

Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack

Jazz Cartier - Hotel Paranoia

Memoryhouse - Soft Hate

Rae Spoon - Armour

Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

River Tiber - Indigo
The Strumbellas - Hope

Tuns - Tuns