Winter seems to be the favourite time for pop punk band to cross the seas and tour out small cities as tonight sees New Found Glory play the Tramshed in Cardiff.
Although a rather dithering crowd (and a lengthy exhilarating A-Z ride, from what we’re told by singer Alex), Roam open up like like the young tycoons they are. Always eager they play tight set, a welcome warm up to New Found Glory.
Animated from the get go New Found Glory are playing double records across a fairly lengthy tour and tonight we get ‘Sticks and Stones’ and ‘Not Without A Fight’, along with some extra hits in-between. It’s a mammoth two hour, twenty-five plus song set – a extensive commitment from the band each night.
Guitarist Chad takes the lead tonight as he spends time between songs connecting to the crowd. “Thanks for chilling and killing it” Chad notes, tonight may not be up to the carnage they want for the first date of their tour but the crowd reply appreciative, and manage to up their game during the second half.
Mid set sees Chad once again up the energy levels as he passes his guitar over to the tech, grabs the mic with angst and embraces the front row, egging them on to scream lyrics back.
It’s easy to see their passion to play shows and write songs as they talk about tour life and how a crowd can help them forget about their worries.
They don’t stop throughout the set and continue to toy with the crowd, bassist Ian must be in at least 30 photos poking his tongue out and pulling amusing faces to anyone with a camera.
The band have been thanking people all night but it’s about time we thank them back. Although dithering energy levels at parts from the crowd it’s been a pleasure to see New Found Glory play these albums and share new and old memories with the fans.
8/10
