ARCHITECTS [9]
SUPPORT: DEAF HAVANA [7], TEK-ONE [6], HEIGHTS [6]
HMV FORUM, LONDON
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Words: Jenny Chu
The jelly mix line up opened with Heights bringing an excessive, thunderous and dimensional sound that requires attention to detail combined with listeners ears bandaged up in preparation for their storm of screams. Sticking out like a sore thumb dubstep kings Tek-One are like the random fizzy sweet out the pack, bringing a club feel to a rock gig so very unexpectedly but seem very much welcomed by the strobe lights and DJ effects that create such a separate sound to their fellow line up.
Main support act Deaf Havana receive a warm response across the sold out venue with a set based around their newly released album prove they are going about things the right way and continuously suggest that the British shores are being faced with a firm rock scene and tightly gripping onto making such hopes for the coming year a reality.
Four albums later and Brighton’s best bet Architects escorted an audience that never needed second thoughts on encouraging the band to land on their feet in a league they’re leading. Stripped back this band doesn’t need a big stage production to put on a great close to the year. Architects have come a long way from supporting ADTR at the very same venue almost two years ago, they have as a matter of fact have brought tonight, evidence they can do it alone and pack out the room just as well. What better way to begin than with Devil’s Island- a gradual song that collects dominance over the audience, empowering a continuous rise of circle pits. The effortless strength of the riffs in Learn To Live and audience movement provoked in Delete. Rewind bring a sense of dynamic skill and a band that come together to create a set that one minute is full of heavy antics and the next is unique and melodic in such songs An Open Letter To Myself and Heartburn. Sam Carters vocals are beyond what any good frontman should be; energetic, beautiful and powerful. “This is the biggest headline show we’ve ever done”- Sam Carter, and the first of many. Ending on Hollow Crown his voice has never proved better, to future frontmen word of warning; watch out for Sam. There’s no arguing Architects conquered tonight with the responsibility of ending the night on a tremendous high.
