Mayday Parade - Live Music Review in Bristol

Posted on: 2016-01-28

Our rating:

'One of Them Will Destroy the Other' and 'Jamie All Over' back to back ensured a raucous beginning to their set. But that was nothing compared to what was to come.


 

On Wednesday 27 January 2016, fans of pop rock were treated to an evening filled with some of the best music the genre had to offer. Floridian outfit Mayday Parade played at Bristol's O2 Academy, and they did not disappoint.

Mayday Parade Live in Bristol

They weren't alone either! No less than three bands, all of which were also from the US, joined the pop rockers on the bill. Female-fronted Beautiful Bodies were up first. It's always tough being first on, but they managed to get the crowd a little warmed up in the short time they had on stage. They were followed by the slightly heavier Have Mercy. Only their second ever show outside of their native country and even though the nerves showed through at times they certainly gave a good account of themselves.

That left just one more act before the night's headliners, and that was The Maine. Judging by the reactions these guys from Arizona got you'd be forgiven for thinking they were the ones topping the bill. Their performance and stage presence matched that enthusiasm from the crowd as well, and by the time they were done those in attendance were more than ready for the evening's main attraction.

The Maine

The Maine Live in Bristol

As soon as the lights went down to signal Mayday Parade's imminent arrival, the screams and cheers were almost deafening. The band may have been around for ten plus years and have a wide array of fans, but there was no avoiding the fact that the majority of the O2 Academy was filled with very excited teenage girls on Wednesday night.

As I mentioned, these guys have been around a while and certainly know how to start a show. 'One of Them Will Destroy the Other' and 'Jamie All Over' back to back ensured a raucous beginning to their set. But that was nothing compared to what was to come. A little later lead singer Derek Sanders informed the crowd that next would be the very first song the band ever wrote together back in 2005, 'Three Cheers for Five Years', a statement welcomed by a roar that almost took the roof off of the Academy!

Like all good gigs however it was not 100mph from start to finish. Enter an acoustic guitar and some softer lighting. It was at this midpoint in the quintet's set that we were treated to slower tracks 'Letting Go' and the very popular 'Terrible Things' - a song that I didn't know but found myself singing along to with everybody else by the time it reached its climax.

Mayday Parade Live in Bristol Wednesday 27 January 2016

During 'Terrible Things' Sanders' fellow band members had rejoined him on stage to help pick the pace back up again. A few tracks later saw the real peak of the night in terms of pure energy as 'Black Cat' resonated around the venue. The song of the night however firmly belongs to the incredible 'Miserable at Best'. Just Sanders, a keyboard, and a packed Academy singing along to every single word. In fact the frontman left the stage, informing us all to keep singing. Of course everybody did, and that final chorus was something unlike I've personally ever experienced at a concert. A novel way to leave the stage and leave the crowd wanting more.

More is of course what they got. Once the audience had finished up singing 'Miserable at Best' the calls for an encore ensued. Mayday Parade returned to the stage to ensure they didn't leave on a ballad. The far more fast-paced 'Jersey' closed the night and I'd be extremely surprised if anyone left the building disappointed. A perfect balance of what is an extensive back catalogue that will have pleased any fan of the band.

Wednesday night in Bristol was only the second night of Mayday Parade's current UK tour. The band will be playing a number of venues across the country between now and the 7th of February. For more information head to their website maydayparade.com.

4/5

Reviewed by Josh Coulson for 365Bristol - The leading events and entertainment website in Bristol

Mayday Parade UK/Europe Tour 2016



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.