The Answer & Gentlemans Pistols - O2 Academy 2, Islington

Posted on 2012-01-28 07:38:49

The Answer have been together for a good 10 years now and what a good 10 years that has been! They have shared the stage with the likes of AC/DC, Aerosmith and Whitesnake, played to thousands across the world, and yet here they are at the little old Birmingham Academy 2. Pretty surreal when you think about it. With this unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the blues rock superstars, Beyond The Noise headed down to get in on the action.

With only one support artist, The Answer were obviously confident in Gentleman’s Pistols’ ability to bring the goods and get this crowd pumped. As Gentleman’s Pistols took to the stage, all members were happy, smiley, long haired individuals, who looked like they had just stepped off the set of That 70’s Show – already a positive start! The band were fun, energetic and seemed to work their magic on the crowd with their Zepplin inspired sound.

The entertainment did not stop between sets thanks to The Answer’s guitar techie, who most definitely deserves a mention. He had great banter going with the crowd and played all sorts of snippets whilst line checking, with Teenage Kicks being a particular highlight. A solo artist in the making? Oh, we think so!

Starting in complete darkness it was finally time for The Answer to take to the stage. The guys kicked off their set with an epic guitar solo from Paul Mahon before breaking full swing into Under The Sky. They then kept things rolling and after a brief ‘hello’, frontman Cormac Neeson pulled out his harmonica and they cracked on with new track Trouble. As the band rumbled through their set, it was notable that they kept a great balance between new material and old, not that the crowd cared, they knew every word anyway! They played all the hits that every fan wants to hear, such as Comfort Zone, new single Piece By Piece and Preachin’, where Cormac made a descent into the middle of the crowd and proceeded to make everyone sit on the floor.

The band returned for an encore with Why’d You Change Your Mind? and One More Revival, much to everyone’s delight. They then finished the set with the closing statement: ‘this tour was all about reviving the grass roots of rock and roll’, and they have most definitely certified our faith in British rock and roll.

What makes The Answer unique is the way that they were able to create a festival atmosphere in a dark, dingy Academy 2 room. Okay, they were helped a little as the crowd brought blow up guitars and most people had a pint in their hand, but everyone was dancing, laughing and singing their heart out. So, not only do The Answer blow your socks off with an impressive live set, but they leave you with a lasting feeling of freedom, happiness and a smile you simply can’t wipe off your face. Lovely