four year strong
Support : Homebound , Boston Manor and Chunk ! No Captain Chunk Koko , London 17th February 2017
In 2007 , four Massachusetts boys released the album that would make them one of pop-punks brightest stars . Rise Or Die Trying was full of bounce and flare that would give Four Year Strong a platform to perform and grow upon and over the last ten years they certainly haven ’ t disappointed . Tonight , Four Year Strong celebrate these ten years by bringing a sold out Koko the Rise Or Die Trying tour in a city Dan Campbell professes later that night “ latched on real quick .”
Opening tonight is Homebound . A young , spritely group of pop-punk hopefuls , reminiscent of Neck Deep when they first hit the scene . Those crowded along the barrier cheer and dance with abundant energy and the night is off to a smashing start .
Boston Manor are next to take the stage and they instantly win over a crowd made up of certified fans and newbies alike . Vocalist Henry is a natural performer , throwing himself about the stage , and goading the crowd into pits , crowdsurfing and even screaming back at him as he stands above them on the barrier . The energy Boston Manor bring is rad and after closing with Trapped Nerve , the night is now truly ready to witness chaos .
Chunk ! No Captain Chunk ! are up next and if you walked into the venue at this point you ’ d think the headliners had already taken the stage . But no , it ’ s France ’ s most fun fivesome ; they bring energy by the boat load as they cover Smash Mouth ’ s All Star , causing the crowd lose their shit . And this is only the beginning of the chaos ! As
they perform hits such as In Friends We Trust , kids hurl themselves on top of one another and it ’ s obvious this band have something special in the palms of their hands . They ’ ll be back headlining Koko themselves , that ’ s for sure .
But of course , tonight is for Four Year Strong to headline . From start to end , tonight ’ s celebration is the real fast and furious and it is a party fitting for the occasion . Starting with the Rise Or Die Trying section of the night , the quartet bring perfected technique and faultless performance throughout hits such as Abandon Ship Or Abandon All Hope , Heroes Get Remembered , Legends Never Die , Bada Bing ! Wit ’ A Pipe ! and If He ’ s Here , Who ’ s Running Hell ? Every single smile-raising song feels unifying as lyrics are shouted between the band and fans alike and bodies push against one another in nothing but pure elation . This elation flows throughout every person in the venue ; Dan and Alan joke with one another , the crowd provide thunderous applause and cheers and even security crack a smile .
This insane energy only continues as tracks from the ten years following RODT arrive ; We All Float Down Here , Stuck In The Middle and What The Hell Is A Gigawatt ? all feature before the ultimate Four Year Strong track , Wasting Time ( Eternal Summer ), ends the evening in more than fitting fashion . There is nothing about tonight that can be faulted other than the fact Four Year Strong aren ’ t yet ruling the world with parties like tonight ’ s . Let ’ s face it , it really can ’ t suck to be Four Year Strong right now .
Words by Alice Hoddinott
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