YOU ME AT SIX // O2 ACADEMY, NEWCASTLE
You Me At Six play Newcastle’s sold out O2 Academy, to thousands of fans!’
PICTURE BY WILL GORMAN
★★★★☆
When announcing three Anniversary shows for their album Take Off Your Colours in Manchester, Glasgow and London the group weren’t expecting them to sell out in hours. When they announced seven more dates due to phenomenal demand they then also sold out very quickly!
When the O2 Academy hosts sold out events there will always be a queue but I was not expecting it to be so large before doors opening. Looping around the building were excited revellers. Upon entering the building there was a great vibe with everyone in a good mood ready for tonight's antics.
Starting the night off were The Xcerts, who warmed the audience up. With the release of album ‘Hold On To Your Heart’ it was a perfect fitting for the evening. I really liked their set and can’t wait to see them headlining venues like the O2 Academy in future. Their short set had favourites like ‘Daydream,’ ‘Are You Gonna Live’ and my favourite song by them ‘Hold On To Your Heart.’ Overall, I thought they sounded great and can’t wait for them to return.
Up next were Marmozets, who seem to get better and better with each time I see them. I first saw them this year at Hit The North and then when they played at This Is Tomorrow. Vocalist Becca MacIntyre always sounds on point but tonight she sounded incredible. Being the heaviest band on the line up it was a nice change in sound but warmed the audience, with a large mosh pit forming and people on the front row screaming the lyrics. Included in their set were tracks like ‘Play,’ ‘Meant To Be,’ and then my favourite song by them ‘Major System Error’ which are all taken from their new album Knowing What You Know.
Finally… You Me At Six!! With most the audience here for them, it was clear that tonight was going to be a hell of a show and it definitely was! From the get-go as soon as the house lights dimmed, the crowds began screaming and the band makes their way onto the stage. Starting the night off night right with ‘The Truth Is a Terrible Thing’ which is also track one of Take Of Your True Colours. Playing all thirteen songs off the album was something incredible to hear, especially to hear the track ‘Take Of Your True Colours’ which was one of the first You Me At Six songs I ever heard.
After the encore the group played ‘Fast Forward’ and ‘I O U’ off their new album VI, the group also played another fan favourite ‘Reckless.’ A highlight of the night was when the group celebrated lead guitarist Christopher Miller’s birthday by bringing a cake out for him and getting the crowd to sing him happy birthday. As the night drew to a close singer Josh Franceschi addresses the audience saying ‘When we got signed to our label they wanted us to add some more songs to this album [Take Off Your Colours], and everyone seems to love this one.’ The crowd went mad with cheers and screams as they began playing ‘Finders Keepers.’ Finishing the night the group closed with Underdog which seemed a fitting end to a brilliant night. The group sounded incredible and I can’t wait to see them again! You Me At Six are touring the UK and I suggest you catch them on this tour!