Lost Prophets: Liverpool: Fri 24th Oct ‘09

Now for me to say that I have been a fan of this band for a while is an understatement. I clearly remember them coming into a venue/club I was working at called Central Station on a ‘Kerrang! Unsigned New Breed’ type of tour. I remember watching them and being very impressed; they were rough around the edges but they had that ‘something’. Before the gig chatting about stuff and frontman Ian Watkins giving me a CD with a track on it and telling me ‘Play that on your club night and the roof will come off.’ I took his advice and over the next twelve months every weekend without fail I played the track louder than hell in both Wrexham and my main club ‘The Krazyhouse’ in Liverpool, the vibe grew, the floor filled and it became a modern day rock anthem, it was called ‘Shinobi Vs Dragon Ninja.’

They released a ‘new’ version of their album and it became instantly incessant, everyone who heard it, played for someone else and the legend began. The second album was even better, and I remember seeing the band twice on that tour and having an album launch in the club. The third album took them even higher. I recall an incredible gig at the Manchester MEN, and then the band in a headline appearance at Download that was triumphant…

So imagine my surprise to see the band listed as appearing at the Mountford Hall in Liverpool, surely not… But yes it was true and I could not miss a opportunity to see the band in this size venue once again, also my 14 yr old daughter was of the opinion that ‘we’ were going… Full Stop!

The Mountfod Hall situated at Liverpool Uni is jammed tonight, it’s hot, I mean water dripping off the wall hot, the buzz is quite electric. As we arrive ‘The Blackout’ are just in the last throws of the dice, I’m still unsure of them, seen them too many times, but I’m told I know nothing (lol).

Lost Prophets hit the stage running opening with their brand new track ‘It’s Not The End Of The World’ and it’s even better live than on record, the band seem loose and free, just playing for the hell of it. They play my fave song ‘Can’t Catch Tomorrow’ alongside their fair share of new material tonight, including my current rave ‘AC Ricochet.’ Of the others ‘Destroyer’ is a classic in waiting…

But it’s the sheer weight of ‘great’ songs that the band now possess that’s simply irresistible, from ‘Rooftops’ to ‘Last Train’ into ‘Burn, Burn,’ it’s one killer punch after another as the band are slipping into top gear with little effort. As I said before the ‘loose’ nature and fun element of tonight’s show adds to the enjoyment, with Jamie leaving his keyboards to drink lots, surf the crowd and smile more than he has for a while. Ian gets his arms stuck in his jacket and is in full on ‘Ave it’ mood, the band is tight in the groove and by the time they hit the closing song, they bring to an end for me of a week of gigs and without a shadow of a doubt they are the kings of rock at this point in time…

From what I saw and heard tonight, the next chapter will define them, will relocate them, will put them at the top table for sure. This feels like a closing of a chapter and the opening of a whole new one for the band, you will not see better than this in 2010… Get your ticket for the ride today…

Set List:

It’s Not The End Of The World But I Can See It From Here
To Hell We Ride
Cant Catch Tomorrow (Good Shoes Wont Save You This Time)
Town Called Hypocrisy
AC Ricochet
Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)
…And She Told Me To Leave
Streets Of Nowhere
Last Summer
Destroyer
Last Train Home
Everyday Combat
Shinobi Vs. Dragon Ninja
Burn Burn

Jj: 2009 (photos by Danni)