FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES // O2 ABC, GLASGOW
FRANK CARTER RETURNS TO SCOTLAND TO PLAY A PACKED VENUE AT GLASGOW'S O2 ABC
★★★★☆ (4/5)
FRANK CARTER
As the band took to the stage on a cold Tuesday night in Glasgow, followed by Frank's entrance, looking like an impersonator of The Joker with his bright green hair, the audience roared as the band's rock sound filled the 02 ABC. Amidst some technical difficulties along with the sound seeming somewhat muffled, the band took a while to get into the stride but as 'Juggernaut' entered its head-banging outro, these men began showing why their live performance is so admirable.
Frank's crazy antics began as he somehow managed to be held up by the crowd, and then proceeded to perform a handstand on top of the crowd's hands and it didn't stop there. As they powered through their set playing songs from their two albums, 'Blossom' and 'Modern Ruin', as well as latest single 'Spray Paint Love' the crowd were throwing themselves around and helping Frank get through his illness, as he admitted he was performing with tonsillitis, against doctors orders. He stated that he wasn't going to let that bring him down, and he certainly didn't. During one song, the band continued to riff out, while Frank disappeared only to appear on the balcony at the back of the stage, 30 feet from the ground below, and sang and screamed with the audience around him. Frank expressed his concern about hot topics such woman's rights and mental health, as well as delivering songs dedicated to each, which I found very admiring.
Towards the end of the set, the tonsillitis was obviously starting to get the better of Carter and began smashing the microphone against his own head in order to find some strength and adrenaline to keep going. As the band walked off, the usual 'One More Song' chant was ensued by the crowd. The band came back on to a huge applause, and Frank exclaimed that they weren't just going to play one more song, but four. The hit from their debut album 'Devil Inside of Me' truly caused a ruckus amongst the members of the audience and this was the the point where The Rattlesnakes and Mr. Carter really gave it their all. Before ending on the passionate and aggressive 'I Hate You', the whole band thanked and congratulated all members of staff of the venue for ensuring that everyone's safety was a top priority amongst the hundreds of crowd surfers during the set.
The passion and power that these guys exude on stage is very exciting to watch, and I recommend them to anyone in terms of a thrilling live performance.