Catfish and the Bottlemen - A Night of Electrifying Energy at Edinburgh’s Summer Sessions at Royal Highland Showgrounds.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN HEADLINING ROCKSTAR ENERGY PRESENTS… LEEDS FESTIVAL 2024
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

Catfish and the Bottlemen returned to Edinburgh with an outdoor gig on a cold, cool night, delivering a powerhouse performance that left the crowd buzzing with excitement. Known for their anthemic indie rock sound, the Welsh quartet proved once again, after ten years on the scene, why they are one of the most electrifying live acts on the circuit today.

The band were supported by two very strong bands, Sundara Karma and The Big Moon.

Sundara Karma is a sharp, tight rock band, which you would expect for a group which has played together for 13 years. Their set, which was well received by the early crowd, was a mix of their hard hitters and tracks from their new album ‘Better Luck Next Time’ which they will be touring across the UK in December this year.

It was still daylight, with the crowd quickly assembling when The Big Moon took to the stage. They opened with a track from their 2022 album ‘Here is Everything’, Wide Eyes’ and ran quickly through nine tracks including Fatboy Slim’s ‘Praise You’. They went down well with the crowd especially those at the front.

The sun had set on this chilly evening when the band’s signature arrival song ‘Helter Skelter’ built up the audience’s excitement. From the moment they took the stage, the energy in the venue was palpable. Opening with the explosive "Longshot," the band immediately set the tone for the evening. Van McCann, the band's charismatic frontman, commanded the stage with his raw vocals and infectious energy. His relentless enthusiasm was matched by the tightness of the band, with Johnny Bond's soaring guitar riffs and Benji Blakeway's driving bass lines perfectly complementing Bob Hall's thunderous drumming. The lighting and the set were simple, with duotones of red and white or blue and white contrasting with the black and white projections on either side and the rear of the stage.

The setlist was a well-crafted journey through the band's discography, with ‘Twice’, ‘Pacifier’ and ‘Soundcheck’ in the first half of the set. Fan favourites like "Kathleen" and "Cocoon" sent the crowd into a frenzy. Each song was met with deafening cheers, and the audience sang along with every word, creating an amazing atmosphere. It was clear that Catfish and the Bottlemen have cultivated a dedicated fan base, one that hangs on every lyric and chord.

One of the highlights of the night was the performance of ‘Business,’ a track that showcases the band's ability to blend punchy lyrics with soaring melodies. The extended instrumentals were sharp and hard-hitting.

As the night drew to a close, Catfish and the Bottlemen delivered a blistering finish, ending with the anthemic ‘7’. The live rendition was nothing short of spectacular, with the crowd's voices nearly drowning out McCann's during the chorus. The emotional intensity of the song resonated deeply with the Edinburgh crowd. The stripped-back arrangement allowed the song's poignant lyrics to shine, offering a brief but powerful respite from the high-octane energy of the rest of the set.

The band’s explosive finale ‘Cocoon’ was the perfect end to an evening of unrelenting energy and passion. The band left the stage to thunderous applause, having firmly cemented their reputation as one of the most compelling live acts around.

In a world where live music can often feel overproduced and impersonal, Catfish and the Bottlemen stand out as a band that has a genuine connection with their audience. The Edinburgh performance was a testament to their enduring appeal and their ability to consistently deliver unforgettable live experiences.