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Funeral For A Friend - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms - October 6th 2009
Support: Lost On Landing, Spy Catcher

After the release of their greatest hits album this past September, Funeral For A Friend’s UK tour was hotly anticipated, and even more so due to the fact that fans were able to vote for the songs they wanted to hear.
They certainly chose well as FFAF belted out hit after hit in a dramatic and raucous fashion. Starting off the show with ‘Streetcar,’ the crowd went wild and the band switched from regular nice guys to aggressive and energetic rockers. Frontman Matt Davies kept up a constant stream of banter with the audience and at one point ordered them to face the sound desk to tell the soundman to turn up the volume.

Hits from the band’s earlier material went down an absolute storm with the crowd and the band genuinely looked like they were having a brilliant time; new bassist Gavin was keen to show his presence as he lept from one side of the stage to the other.

A more relaxing approach in the form of ‘History,’ was a welcome break from the current chaos surrounding the venue and the crowd dutifully sang and moshed their way through. Chaos immediately reinsued as favourites such as ‘Bullet Theory’ and ‘Rookie of The Year’ were performed along with four new tracks which the fans soaked up in all their glory, even managing a few lines from new single ‘Wrench.’

As the 19 song setlist came to a poignant end with front man Matt Davies left singing onstage, the crowd grew quiet except for chants for the much loved ‘Juneau.’ Not long after exiting the stage, the band crashed back on and whipped out their heartiest performance yet with ‘Into Oblivion,’ which has become the bands signature song; and finally as the band gave in to the crowd’s demands (or contractual obligations) they launched into the track that everyone wanted to hear – Juneau.

The atmosphere tingled with delight as the crowd sang their little hearts out and the band thrashed their way around the stage, giving Portsmouth the best encore to an awe-inspiring rock show.

Review by Cherry Pullinger

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