SHED SEVEN // O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW

A life lurking in the Britpop shadows has left Shed Seven with a reputation as the underclass heroes; but as the three decade mark starts to approach, they can still send a crowd wild. With excellent support, The Twang, the night got the Shed Heads jumping.

SHED SEVEN PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S O2 ACADEMY - 30.11.2019 PICTURE BY: STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY — **SHED SEVEN PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S O2 ACADEMY - 30.11.2019**
PICTURE BY: STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Shed Seven were birthed in York in 1990 and begun their journey as the angst filled rockers who’s sound packs a hard punch. Despite multiple line-up and label changes, the band’s sound is known to ooze confidence alongside its murky, emotional depths. They reached the pinnacle of their success in the mid-90s before hitting a lull in the early 2000s. Early guitarist Joe Johnson was later replaced by Paul Banks but, despite successful, sell-out tours, the band split in 2003 due to what has been described as the strains of the music industry. Shed Seven would not be finished off however, and their fire was reignited in 2007 as they began to tour once again. In 2017, their fifth album, Instant Pleasures, was released – 16 years after last work Truth Be Told. The newest album was produced by Martin Glover, Youth from Killing Joke, and shows an evolution into a more experimental sound yet still remains true their origins in alternative rock.

Scottish fans were treated to two Glasgow shows over a bitterly cold weekend. A sold-out opening night saw a shivering crowd flock to the O2 Academy, where an amped up night warmed their bones. Support The Twang played an excellent opening set. This Brummie band has spurted out numerous catchy indie numbers that infectiously littered the late 2000s. With their fifth studio release If Confronted Just Go Mad announced earlier in the month, The Twang played a solid performance which sold the new work well. ‘Everytime’ is a brilliant number that has a smooth, slick beat running through it and slides in with R and B vibes. Beloved ‘Wide Awake,’ ‘Barney Rubble’ and ‘Either Way’ sent the attendees into a frenzy of nodding heads and shaking hips. Their lyrics were heartily sung back by the fans. The Twang are a group who are clearly working hard on their sound and the performance did not fail at uplifting viewers and prepping the room for the force to come.

Suddenly the arena seemed packed to the rafters with a giddy crowd who had fought the elements and arrived to celebrate Shed Seven. The full, current line-up of Rick Witter, Paul Banks, Thomas Gladwin, Alan Leach and Joe Johnson took to the stage and the sea of fans roared; an army of pints were raised to the sky. They opened the night with the anthem ‘Room In My House’ and the power of this track live was immense. When played with the gusto singer Witter put into the punchy lyrics, it shook the crowd to attention.

Cycling between their fresher and more historic work, the group looked incredibly comfortable on stage throughout. Tender early hit ‘Ocean Pie’ got the crowd singing and swaying into the track’s embrace. Witter can still deliver vocals with a penetrating but comforting rawness that the Gallagher brothers can only dream of. Front and centre, Witter twists his lanky self with carefree jerks. He draws all eyes to him and has full command over his stage. The soaring ‘High Hopes’ is emotional and played with passion. Newer track ‘It’s Not Easy’ is a perfect example of how Shed Seven have been able to keep the same essence of their beginnings. The fans chanted the title line right through to the end of the track, most arms thrown into the air.

The momentum was upheld right through to the end of the set with the tracks ‘Bully Boy,’ ‘Going For Gold’ and ‘Parallel Lines.’ Shed Seven’s performance was transfixing and created at atmosphere of heartfelt expression where the fans could lose themselves in the sound. The final track was the fittingly ultimate ‘Chasing Rainbows’ which was delivered with stomach trembling power. Shed Seven are band whose live performance delivers so much more than their recorded material. They give everything they have to the audience and their appreciation for their fans is undeniable.