Halloween in Kentish Town, as the doors open at 6.30pm with Pacman and the ghosts, zombie mario and other fancy dress attendees enter the building, we kick things off at 6.55pm with a far from filled room for a sold out show as Disney World regulars Suburban Legends take the stage with their infectious smiles and fun Ska-filled original tracks that has all the early birds starting the party tour of the decade. With covers of You’ve Got A Friend In Me and Duck Tales to win over the less familiar gig goers they have been welcomed into everyone’s arms while performing a stellar show full of great choreography and catchy hooks to their songs.
Following the happiest band of the tour, is the heavier band of the line up Zebrahead who never fail to put on a party show, with their own designated drinking station on the side stage. Furthermore, in the spirit of Halloween taking to the stage in Beer costumes adds the bonus points for effort towards the better holiday of the year. Creating mosh pits, and the inevitable crowd surf rally mid set which sees many familiar faces taking multiple surfing trips over the barrier in a single song, the crowd are on their feet as they should be for the show so far.
Co-headliners Reel Big Fish are to follow wasting no time in opening with their most popular cover of Take On Me that has the crowd riled up and singing along to the words while dancing away on this hump day. A variety of tracks through their career are played including Beer, Sellout, and proudly announcing that their album ‘Why Do They Rock So Hard?‘ turned 20 this year which sees them honouring tracks from the release such as The Kids Don’t Like It. Everyone is having fun both on stage and in the crowd as the venue has reached capacity with the energy at a peak, and many drinks being spilt due to the skanking-fever for the Ska-Rock veterans.
Following the headliners from night #1 is the headliners of night #2 Less Than Jake, which is fitting to see as Roger celebrates his birthday during the show and also has a cake bought out mid-show as Chris jokes about many years ago he would have “pushed your face” into the cake. Jokes aside, they mean business when taking the stage as the cherry on top of this tour (no pun intended with the relations of cake) as the night has seen 3 credible bands that have succeeded in their own rights to be headliners. With songs such as Gainesville Rock City, All My Best Friends Are Metalheads and Science Of Selling Yourself Short, they have gained a huge reputation in the music industry and as proven tonight when every person is screaming back the words and still holding energy 4 hours later from back to back phenomenal bands. Less Than Jake give a moment to praise their new drummer who has had some big shoes to fill, but completely nailing the parts, followed by praise for everyone in attendance for keeping the power of live music alive and supporting each band on this line up.
Closing the night I have walked away with my original statement “Tour of the decade” and happily stick by that. Each band has had its personal touch to this show and I have treated myself to some dessert after that 4-course meal and bought tickets for Suburban Legends & Zebrahead‘s smaller show in the coming week. Don’t miss this tour if you have the chance!