Live Review - Four Year Strong

Four Year Strong, Chunk! Captain No Chunk and Boston Manor @ O2 Academy 2, Birmingham 16/02/17

‘It Must Really Suck’ to be your ear drums right now, because if you were also inside Birmingham’s O2 Academy 2 then they’ve taken one hell of a bashing from Four Year Strong on this nights leg of the ‘Rise or Die Trying’ 10th Anniversary Tour which has been in full swing for nearly three continuous weeks across Europe. That’s right it has been 10 flipping years since Four Year Strong put out their debut album, and they are having a party with the people who helped fuel it all, their loyal fanbase. 

All four of ‘Rise or Die Trying’ English shows are sold out, and the majority of tonights sold out crowd are ready and waiting inside the venue for opening band Homebound to take the stage. 

Boston Manor are a band who are really starting to find their stride and are arguably just one tour away from becoming the next big British breakthrough band, they are growing from strength to strength, and their live performances aren’t going to do anything to dampen that reputation. Growing up in Blackpool has certainly managed to drive a solid sound and unique look. 

It was an epic surprised when we forgot and then remembered that the special guest support tonight was Chunk, No Captain Chunk! Sadly the sound wasn’t great, the band sounded messy and ametuer. Having said that, the crowd still reacted wonderfully, obviously fans were scattered throughout the crowd. So instead of focusing on the negative, let’s talk about how fun it can be when 600 people engage in what can only be described as Punk Rock karaoke.

When you’ve got an album to play in full there isn’t a lot of time for small talk, and Four Year Strong blaze through tracks such as “Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope” and “Catastrophe” with the crowd giving back everything they are given plus interest. The idea of this tour is all about celebrating ‘Rise or Die Trying’ and having a party, and the atmosphere was certainly as such, with what felt like a thousand fists punching in unison and an abundance of crowd surfers including a wizard (!!) complete with hat and beard, which somehow survived the bouncing masses. Four Year Strong create a palpable energy in every room they play, they aim to bring the party, and honour the fans that love their music, and that they did tonight and then some. Fans left damp to the touch from the exertion of a punk rock night, horse from screaming along, and chatting with new friends, because creating ties is what punk does.