For the final post in the Le-gig-cy series, I take a look at a double-serving of Bloxx. As both gigs were memorable, I thought best to combine them into one last article. The structure will be similar to previous Le-gig-cy posts, but will have a double “The Gig” section.
Before The Gig:
I’ve known Bloxx from all the way back in March 2018, when I saw them support The Wombats. They were the first of two support bands that night. The Night Café filling up the other slot. Despite their more raw, unfinished sound, I felt they had something to them, something different.
I kept up with their releases and went to watch them again at a much smaller venue where they headlined. Vistas supported them that night. After finishing their set, the members of Vistas came into the crowd and proceeded to jump around with me. One of my small claim to fame’s.
After moving up to Manchester, I was glad to find out the band were part of the Neighbourhood festival. They were a band who I just had to see again.
The Gig:
Part 1: The Bread Shed – 12 October 2019
What first shocked me with this gig, was how much bigger the crowd was. I was fully aware that the band had grown a big following over the last year, but jumping from a 100 capacity venue, to one of almost 500, was a big leap.
The band tore through their newly expanded catalogue of tracks with impressive power and ferocity. The crowd lapping it up. The energy in The Bread Shed was probably the most I experienced at the festival, with half the crowd bouncing to each track. It was a totally different experience to the 10 or so people I moshed with the last time I saw them.
I was getting nervous when band lead Fee announced the final song, and my favourite Bloxx track, “Curtains”, hadn’t been played. Then the deep, booming opening cords of the track started and my nerves were switched to elation. Despite being different to their more recent releases, I still rate this as the bands best track.
Part 2: Academy 2 – 10th March 2020
This was actually the last gig I got to before the lockdown restrictions started. Bloxx were supporting Scottish favourites Twin Atlantic. I was there for Bloxx primarily.
I bring this one up due to it being a funny gig for the group. Despite the disinterest of much of the crowd (which is always expected for a support band), the band were the freshest I’d seen them. They were more in-sync with each other, creating a cleaner and less patchy sound. Much better than the raw sound I heard back in 2018.
Then, calamity.
Singer Fee’s microphone, as well as couple of instrument amps, cut out, leaving the group with a very muddled and disconnected sound. Being professionals, they tried to continue playing the song, but eventually had to give up. The band seemed to find the awkwardness of the situation quite humorous and started a little crowd interaction whilst giving the technicians in the wings wry looks. After what probably felt like an eternity for the band, the issues were fixed and they were able to close out their set.
I had a brief chance to talk with Fee after their set about the issues. Apparently off stage, someone had plugged another guitar into the same sound system. This drained the power so the instruments on stage were no longer being picked up and amplified. A funny situation that definitely could’ve been avoided, but a concert to remember for Bloxx.
After The Gig:
One streak I hope to maintain is always managing to grab a photo with the bands lead. So far I am 3/3 with each one being progressively harder to get. On the final time seeing them, I was also lucky enough to nab the events poster, and get two of the Bloxx band members to sign it.
Left – Southampton Heartbreakers December 2018.
Middle – Bread Shed October 2019.
Right – Manchester Academy March 2020
There are exiting times ahead for the band. When I started following them, they only had 3 songs released, and its been quite a ride so since then. Their debut album “Lie Out Loud” is releasing at the end of this month (28th September) and should hopefully propel the band further into the public eye.
I’d be lying if I said that I wont miss seeing them in tiny venues, moshing to the original few songs they had, but its brilliant to see them excelling. I’ve already got tickets for their Academy 3 gig in April, which also happens to be the same day as my Birthday. That made my birthday plans easy.
Hopefully I will also be able to make my picture record 4/4.
