Page 49 - Black Velvet Issue 87

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LIFEHOUSE / RAGLANS - LONDON O2 SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE, 01.10.15
Dublin indie boys Raglans kick-start the night with their unique blend lowing the audience to both relax and enjoy the newer material, and go
of Irish rock and folk. The amazement and awe is visible on the faces of crazy for the classic tunes. Vocalist Jason Wade takes to the stage on
the Raglans members as they enjoy their performance to a sold-out his own for the start of 'You and Me', his husky soulful voice echoing
Shepherd's Bush Empire. The crowd don't quite seem to get it for the around the venue, encouraging every last person to sing along before
majority of the set, but the boys manage to win them over with newer the rest of the band join in. Lifehouse seem overjoyed to be surrounded
songs 'Icarus' and 'The Bitter End.' Drummer Conn O'Ruanaidh stands by so many passionate fans who clearly share a profound connection
out, pleasing the audience with an impressive solo before they head off with their songs, and Wade tells London “We're getting near to the end
stage. of this tour, and you guys really are the icing on the cake.” The band go
You can feel the excitement in the room as 9pm approaches; the on to produce a huge rendition of 'First Time' before heartfelt ballad 'Bro-
venue is filled with people who look like they've been waiting to see this ken' brings the main set to an epic close.
band live for a decade, which some of them probably have. It's been four The demand for an encore is inarguable, and before we know it Life-
years since the group were last here, and as the lights go down the in- house are back on stage, performing 'Flight' before giving in to the
creasing volume of the screams tell us that there's still a lot of people crowd's desire to hear 'Hanging By A Moment', the song that really de-
that care about this band. 'Hurricane' opens the set, and everyone's fines the band to many of the old school fans. The audience go into a
hands are in the air, the crowd jumping up and down to the big sing- frenzy as Jason plays the first chord, turning the spectacular piece into
along chorus. Even after two years away from touring, Lifehouse sound the biggest sing-along of the night. As the impressive 21-song set comes
strong, refreshed and better than ever. to a close, it's clear that Lifehouse are just one of those bands who were
Lifehouse aren't ones to play the same set over and over again, and born to play live. On stage they're well and truly in their element and mu-
as a result the set is loaded with new songs from 'Out Of The Wasteland.' sically, you couldn't flaw them.
'Stardust' gets the crowd dancing with its drum dance beat and synths, YYYYY
and 'Firing Squad' takes everyone back to when they first heard 'Hanging Carissa Thorne
By A Moment'; it's familiar, romantic and serene.
The new songs are perfectly balanced with old favourites like 'Sick Jason Wade (Lifehouse) Photo By Carissa Thorne
Cycle Carousel' and 'Spin'. There is just the right mix of new and old, al-
CONCERTS