Heck / Black Peaks – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff 15/09/16

The last time we caught Black Peaks was back in February at this very same venue. It was at the point the band had really emerged onto radars, press and were gaining momentum. The last time we caught Heck was at The Globe back in November. Both bands played to a handful of people and both had built up notoriety for their live performances. When the co-headline tour announced it definitely turned a few heads, and everyone knew it’d be a tour to remember.

It seems Black Peaks have taken some influence off Heck and get things moving as frontman Will ploughs into the crowd and kick starts an intrigued crowd into a pit. They throw in old track Closer To The Sun early on which really embraces their more unhinged sound. You can see how they’ve flourished since, especially when they kick into hard hitters like Hang Em High. It’s easy to see how their songs could easily carry over stadiums – they’re monumental. As per, their set feels fluid and their impressive performance is tight. As they end on hit Glass Built Castles it sends the crowd into mania as voices boom and fill the room.

And here we have the notorious Heck. The crowd scatter around the venue unsure of where to stand because no one knows for sure where they’ll start but for once they start on stage encouraging the crowd to get intimate. It takes seconds to explode and become carnage. They’re fearless and so are the fans. Anything and everything is collateral damage. It’s hard to keep track of where each member runs off to as a pit swallows up the center of the room.

By the end of the night they’ve covered the entire venue like a marathon, throwing themselves off amps, tables and people. One point sees a table thrown around and a pit assemble around it, a chair go for a crowd surf along with some questionable stage diving. Not once during the night did the crowd tire or want it to stop at all. It’s been a great night for British rock, each band has truly grown into their own and ruled the show.

9/10


About Nadine 223 Articles
Soundscape co-founder, webmaster and South Wales music photographer. Forever traveling on buses and singing all the wrong words. Get in touch: twitter: nadinebphoto e: nadineballantyne@soundscapemagazine.com