It was clear that the sound tonight was going to be big – The Kaiser Chiefs had supplemented the venue’s own sound system with even larger stacks of their own speakers…
| | This was the 3rd of the Q Awards gigs 2011 presented by Q Magazine – and it was clearly rock night!
The night started with the first of two support acts - Spector. It was nice to see a male guitar based rock band trying to differentiate themselves from the hundreds struggling to make a space for themselves in a crowded genre. Suited and booted they got the crowd rocking, frequently introducing themselves to the growing crowd, in preparation for what was to follow… |
| Duke Spirit interacted a lot less with the now full venue - but Liela Moss’ vocals combined with talents on keyboard and the other members of the band continued building the atmosphere towards the headliners, who's backdrop dominated the stage… |  |
| | You could guess that there was going to be lots of energy on and off the stage, when a stage hand was carefully marking up, with hi-vis masking tape the edges of the speakers that could be stood on, and with large crosses those that won't support a band member!
Ricky Wilson was soon confirming this – one song was performed with him standing on the crush barriers at the front of the mush pit, supported by his belt by two large members of the stage crew. Towards the end of the set he made his way to one of the balconies in the HMV forum between downstairs standing and the upstairs seating usually reserved for bouncers observing the crowd, crossing amongst those seated (or not) upstairs to the opposite side…
I Predict a Riot had the crowd at full voice, and the mush pit in full motion. Returning to the stage for their encore Love’s Not a Competition and Oh My God brought the house down. |
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