Event Reviews

Mountford Hall was bursting at the seams upon arrival. The place was rammed with what appeared to be the fallout from a school disco i.e. shrieking girls, baldy faced boys and junior bohemians swarming about. It was a sight for sore eyes (and ears) and disgruntled me somewhat as I tried not to let the surroundings cloud my judgement of The Cribs performance to come.

A group of excitable teenagers waited at the stage door with baited breath and cameras at the ready for a sneaky, up close and personal with the band members as they went on stage.

There’s no doubt in my mind that this band have already got a big following – proven to me by the reaction of their manifestation on the stage and the thunderous roar that rang in my ears for long after their initial appearance.

I didn’t need to get in amongst the revellers to get a feel for the atmosphere, it was rowdier than the queue at the post office on a Monday morning I can tell you, but a touch more violent! I’ve got to admit the buzz round the venue was rather electric but the performance, for me, just didn’t justify the scene or stand to attention.

Disappointed

Granted, the front-man was giving it a lot of energy, rigid and grasping the mic until his knuckles turned white and his veins were popping out of his neck, but I just couldn’t stand the singing and the sound was particularly bad – not the band's fault but the sound engineer's, perhaps?

I did manage to persevere through next couple of  tracks but *tail between legs* I couldn’t put up with it any longer and left. I’d like to see the band again at a different venue.  To give them the benefit of the doubt, perhaps it was down to the poor sound and perhaps I’m being a stick in the mud here (surely not I hear you all cry) but the attendees and their behaviour was just down right annoying!

I’ve got to take the opportunity to say though, that The Jing Jang Jong preceding The Cribs performance were excellent. Unfortunately the crowd seemed biased and were a shadow of their later selves during this performance. I’d definitely recommend that you all take time out next time this group are doing a turn in Liverpool.