Following the release of their recent album Night People You Me At Six once again embark on an ambitious arena tour. It doesn’t seem so long ago they were back here and so tonight will have to see them pull out all the tricks.
Opening up are Black Foxxes, a feisty trio hailing from Exeter. It may be quiet in the arena but their monstrous sound more than fills the gaps in-between. Swearing from the get go sees some funny reactions around the arena, imploring a young fan to shout “watch your language”, which only encourages the singer to swear more. As for openers go they are a perfect balance of heaviness and cheek, although chats overheard in quieter moments prompt the singer to shout “shut the fuck up for 30 seconds because it gets really good” somewhat sums up a younger crowd here tonight, eager and impatiently excited for the headliners.
Next we have back Tonight Alive, who are always pleasantly good live and welcome no matter the tour slot. They shimmer a fine display of showmanship and fuel the crowd to go crazy, sing, dance and take in heartfelt talks off singer Jenna who sets it as her mission to encourage self-empowerment and freedom. She spurs the crowd to “leave their shit” behind and get lost in the music tonight, and many do.
Tonight feels unusually quiet for an arena gig, maybe it’s because it’s Easter weekend or maybe because times are hard financially but that doesn’t stop You Me At Six from making the best of partially stale situation – tickets haven’t sold as well as tours before but their attitude of go big or go home radiates around the venue tonight. If it’s one thing you can count on with YMAS it’s that they have their live shows down to a fine art.
Even talks of Josh’s vocals from the show before don’t stagnate the crowd tonight and only when it comes to heavier songs like Bite My Tongue do you barely notice. It’s amazing to see the influence as well from Oli Sykes when the break down of “fuck you” comes into play the crowd sing deep and loud.
Admittedly, it’s a little strange talking about YMAS having a more mature appeal, forgetting they aren’t the new blood we once remember – they’ve been doing this for over ten years and it becomes easy to forget how far they’ve travelled and many have grown up with them in that time. It only makes sense their latest album ‘Night People’ has a more edgy, ripened sound to it.
They’re not ones to shy away from older hits as they play deep into their old catalogue capitalising on nostalgia moments and memories. Singer Josh has the crowd in his palms of his hands the whole night, the crowd continue to scream with excitement after every. damn. song. Save It For The Bedroom gets a huge reaction of the night along with Reckless.
Tonight the crowd have had their worth – old classics, swagger and dance moves to die for. They’ve crowd surfed and sang their hearts out, done any and everything this band has commanded. YMAS have effortless blazed through their set tonight, and what could have felt like a typical arena show has felt intimate, friendly and full of positive vibes.
9/10
