Gig: Eastpak Antidote Tour (Alexisonfire, Anti-flag, Four Year Strong, The Ghost Of A Thousand)
Venue: LCR
Date: October 8th 2009
For the second time in its three year history the Eastpak band-fest rolls back into Norwich. After playing 2007 at the university's sister venue, The Waterfront, with a fairly unknown line-up and concentrating on a group of larger profile artists (in a smaller tour lap) in 2008 the tour aiming to prove that baggage apparel companies know a thing or two about good live music has returned to the Wembley Arena of venues within the county of East Anglia.  

In fairness this is a big step up and you have to give the organisers credit, The venue (albeit not sold out) is close to capacity and boasting big name alternative rock bands like Alexisonfire & Anti-flag whilst mixing it up with some of the scenes up and coming new boys leaves the jaw salivating at the prospect.
 
The Ghost Of A Thousand had the honour of being first and to officially warm the crowd up, being the only English boys on the tour one would have hoped for a good reception from the Norwich crowd however the band never seemed to hit their stride. TGOAT have shown themselves to be capable on the larger stage with recent festival appearances, but even favourites such as "Bright Lights" couldn't do much to motivate a show base clearly hear for other reasons. An amicable attempt despite this reaction from the Brighton lads.

Following up closely was the synth pop-punkers Four Year Strong, no strangers to the UEA after having masking several support appearance in recent years (most recently w/ New Found Glory November last year) but disappointingly the Massachusetts based quintet never really got into their stride. Perhaps the bands decision to focus their limited stage time on several songs from their recently released 90's cover album Explains It All, Cheers all round were greeted for such fan favourites as " Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope" and the fantastic titled "Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die" but the lack of some of the hits from It's our time that helped gain the initial popularity or any new material seemed to do little to help the atmosphere.

Third on and in many ways co-headliners (The top 2 bands swapped headlining duties between mainland Europe and the UK due to their respective popularity in both areas) were Anti-Flag.  Despite being the musical equivalent of marmite to many, whether loved or hated you have to note the confidence and passion demonstrated by the band. Launching straight into "The Press Corpse" you can see the audience are ready to get going. Sing-along’s are a plenty as the familiar chorus from "Turncoat" is screamed from around the room whilst fist are raised for such anti government numbers as "The Economy is broken..." and " No War without Warriors" - the latter of which sees the biggest circle pit of the set. However Justin Sane and his fellows show a determination not to be shown as merely brash quick & simple rockers, instead demonstrating an ability to calm the audience as they wish. Displaying a more mellow tone during "The Great Depression" you can see Anti-Flag have definitely polished their song crafting abilities, keeping a steadfast passion and motivation despite perhaps arguably mellowing their sound in latest album The People or The Gun, during their impressive 10 year career. Either way whether their musical messages are well trodden, the band certainly know how to appease crowds and conclude their set with the old favourite "Power To The Peaceful"

By the time Alexis finally take the stage you can feel the buzz of the crowd. "We Are Heading for The Sun" echoes around the room as they first grace the stage, a song that contains a perfect example of the aggressive gusto and passionate vocals that they are known for.  With band members throwing themselves into the audience before the chorus is even reached you can see the band is getting down to business. Fan favourites aren't in short supply as "We Are The Sound" and the ever popular "Boiled Frogs" are rolled out in succession. Energy levels are high, a fact personified completely by front man George Pettit, one leg firmly placed the whole show, riding the barrier and encouraging the crowd below- looking every inch the action hero as much as than musician.

However this is not merely the Petit show tonight, fellow lead vocalist Dallas Green works the crowd lyrically just as hard all evening , perhaps saving his best for a spine tingling solo performance of "You Burn First" met with several screams from some of the audience; The ability to show a less aggressive and more atmospheric attitude is the real highlight, Alexis have crafted a wondrous sounding set, a healthy dose of latest album Old Crows/ Young Cardinals and it is easy to see why the group having been getting their recent plaudits. Every note of every song oozes a confidence from the band whose heavy festival circuit presence have made them masters of such meagre size stages, by the time "Drunks, Lovers, Sinners & Saints" is played the crowd are in a state of euphoria and it’s hard to see anyone not enjoying this performance.

There are however some notable exceptions, veterans tunes like ""44 Calibre Love Letter" and the hard hitting "Counterparts & Number Them" are noticeable absentees, replaced instead with the slower (is) pace of "Young Cardinals" and "Accept Crime" however these songs do not detract from the set at all, and whilst a few may go home grumbling the lack of freshman album material they certainly shouldn’t feel displeased with the replacements.

Keeping the mixture of new and classic going right through to the end you can tell the crowd aren't ready for the band to leave, even for the inevitable encore, between set closer on "Accidents" and the reappearance on opening track "Old Crows" you feel the crowds energy levels haven't dropped at all and finally finishing on "Happiness by the Kilowatt", Alexisonfire can feel they have done themselves proud. Whilst not going down as one of the greatest occasions ever performed, you cannot fault the band's commitment, whose tone and manner throughout the whole event gives the feel of a group who are in the ascendency of what they are doing.

4/5