What wasn't going to divide the crowd tonight though was the excitement for the headliners. It is quite amazing how Lostprophets, one of Britain's most successful rock bands over the past decade, are still hanging around in venues like Rock City which is pushed at fitting in over 2,000 people. Nevertheless, the band seem to clearly be up for tonight kicking things off with Bring 'Em Down, hit single fresh off their new album, Weapons.
One of the great things throughout this night is that Lostprophets are able to make any song off any album sound mighty. Frontman Ian Watkins (oddly at times selecting to be armed with a megaphone rather than a microphone) is sounding terrific. Lee Gaze and Mike Lewis on guitars are on phenomenal form. Every moment of this 19-song setlist is a joy to behold. Start Something and Liberation Transmisson live up to the reputations they have rightly earned. Even songs off The Betrayed (portrayed by many fans as their least favourable album) have energy pouring out of them. It's Not The End Of The World... comes across brilliantly. As does Where We Belong, which had the intro of Sweet Child O' Mine preceding it, a brave move which worked fantastically. What is most pleasing is that new songs off Weapons settle in very well. Another Shot and Jesus Walks particularly sounding very good. What was in shortage tonight was songs off first album, thefakesoundofprogress. However, when Shinobi Vs. Dragon Ninja starts up the energy levels in the room soar. "Let's go fucking mental!" cries Ian Watkins, and the crowd duly oblige.
Oh yeah, and best of all, one of the most astonishing things I have ever witnessed happened during Burn Burn. There was a guy in a wheelchair in the middle of the mosh pit. If you didn't quite catch that the first time I said it: THERE WAS A GUY. IN A WHEELCHAIR. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOSH PIT! I couldn't believe the sheer bravery of him. What was nice that during the slow finale of Sway he got picked up onto two people's shoulders so he could be able to gaze eyes on the band. Nice touch I thought.
Many people consider 10 years to be too long for a band to be knocking around, sounding great and high in popularity. Tonight is safe to say the most fun gig I have ever had at a gig.. Lostprophets are still one of Britain's greatest bands of this millennium, and long may it continue.
Setlist
- Bring 'Em Down
- It's Not The End Of The World...
- Better Off Dead
- Can't Catch Tomorrow
- A Town Called Hypocrisy
- Another Shot
- Make A Move
- Where We Belong
- 4:AM Forever
- Jesus Walks
- Last Summer
- Rooftops
- Shinobi Vs. Dragon Ninja
- We Bring An Arsenal
- Last Train Home
- Burn Burn
Encore
- Everyday Combat
- We Are Godzilla, You Are Japan
- Sway
