Gig Review: Razorlight, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2nd April 2007.
Reviewer: Michelle Annable


Just the very thought of going to a gig at the Metro Radio Arena fills me with dread. It’s the kind of vast, hollow, soulless venue that many a great band (and just as many not so great) has tried to conquer but failed miserably to inject some much needed life into. Pulp managed it many moons ago, but that was just a couple of days after the whole Michael Jackson incident and they were on an incredible high. Blur on the other hand, hadn’t fared so well a few months before that when they’d visited. As I head down there I’m wondering if Razorlight will be able to pull off the step up to arena capacity.

From the off they put on just the kind of show you’d expect to see at this type of venue. The light show has to be pretty special so that the people right at the back have something to watch. They sure as hell can’t see the band! Even with the assistance of a couple of big screens at either side of the stage. However, the sound is fairly good for a venue of this size and each song is played note perfect so at least there’ll be no complaints on that score.

For those of us nearer the front it’s a very different proposition. Razorlight to me are a much more interesting proposition visually than musically. While their brand of finely crafted, melodic, indie rock anthems aren’t bad in themselves, many of them don’t exactly bristle and fizz with the kind of raw energy and effervescence that blows you away. All the big hits (think In the Morning, Golden Touch, Somewhere Else, America et al) get the biggest audience reaction but are the least interesting in terms of performance. Fair weather fans only interested in the radio friendly unit shifters seem to outnumber the hardcore faithful, something that invariably comes with the kind of massive radio exposure that America generated.

Where Razorlight really come into their own is on the lesser known album tracks which sadly is the point at which lack of familiarity causes many in the vast auditorium start to lose interest. Knowing he has to work harder to retain their attention Johnny Borrell really begins to put on a show. He struts, he preens, he gets his nipple cleavage out and is utterly compelling to watch, just as a front man should be. Much has been written about Borrell’s unwavering self confidence in his band, his song writing skills and in himself. How many of those quotes were reported accurately is another matter altogether but based on these performances that famed self confidence is well founded. When Razorlight do break away from the tried and tested route and experiment a bit more they are captivating. If they can come up with a bit more of that diversity then the headline spot at Reading and Leeds could well be justified.

http://www.myspace.com/razorlight

http://www.razorlight.co.uk