After a slight postponement the man himself is back and he’s kicking off his UK tour on Friday the 13th in Cardiff!
Opening up are alt pop band Yonaka whose sound wasn’t quite what was expected for an opener of Andrew W.K. but none the less turns heads in a positive way. Singer Theresa’s vocals are staunch as the rest of the band play to an unfortunately sparse room. It’s a decent set from the upcoming Brighton band.
As the room begins to fill people watch in amusement as groups of lads enter in various Andrew W.K. costumes (and one rather fetching lightening cat meme costume). I haven’t seen so many tight white jeans since the early 00s. Many here tonight are first timers and ready to let loose. The keyboardist drums the crowd up with a chant of “party” and an rather long introduction later Andrew W.K. finally graces the stage to a wealth of cheers and it takes literal seconds before the beers are flying.
“Hardness makes life more intense” Andrew W.K. addresses to the crowd before his various talks on partying, life the universe and everything. The positive vibes are definitely flowing tonight and the velocity of the band around him doesn’t falter either – the entire set is packed, it’s fast and it’s madness. Bodies flow over the barrier in all manners of shapes and outfits although at this point we’re unsure who’s covered in fake blood and who’s not.
Out to promote new album ‘You’re Not Alone‘ recently released in March some new tunes get their debut to the UK crowd. Andrew W.K. on stage is exactly how you’d expect him to be – his persona matches his online presence to a tee. For a band whose whole identify fuels from hit Party Hard the night and songs don’t feel like a one trick pony. They’ve got a lot of support and it doesn’t feel like one of those nights where people are here to see that ‘one song’. Throughout the crowd sing along to the non stop force that is Andrew W.K. and co. Even the older parents have ventured out to party tonight.
The way he moves on stage – the erratic dancing, the whole catalogue of rock faces, even the way he slides up and down the keys whilst keeping an eye on the crowd is mesmerising. A piano solo slows the night down and gives those in the pit a much needed rest.
The break before the encore feels like an eternity before a chant is resurrected – “Party Party Party” bellows the crowd. “We’re not done with you yet!”, it’s time for the big finish.
By the end of the night outfits are ruined, lost shoes are being waved in the air and there’s a countdown like you’ve never seen before. From ninety the crowd and Andrew W.K. countdown “like a rocket launch”. “10… 9.. 8…”, the crowds volume is soaring by this point and just like a rocket launch the venue explodes in chaos for ‘Party Hard‘. It’s amazing the anticipation and excitement that built up within that countdown. Something that should be ludicrous has worked so well. Coming up to nearly ten years old this song still feels as crisp now as it did back then. There’s never been a Friday the 13th that’s partied so hard.
9/10
