Gigs

Gig Review : Those Damn Crows & The Cruel Knives, O2 Forum Kentish Town London

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Posted on 19th October 2023

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Review and Photography by Manuela Langotsch for MPM

This week I found myself in one of London’s major live entertainment venues, the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, a place that has witnessed some legendary performances including Dave Grohl, Jack White, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and KISS to name a few.

Here I was reviewing and photographing two UK Rock bands who have played live on both sides of the English Channel in the past few years.

It’s 8pm and the evening kicks off with a 45 mins set by support act The Cruel Knives. 4 lads whose energy spills over to the audience right from the get go.

The venue is already packed, the crowd is screaming, their arms raised showing the horns. Having performed at this year’s Steelhouse Festival, it is instantly clear that these guys mean business and are here to get everyone ‘warmed up’ for tonight’s headliner.

It seems at times, the stage is far too small for their energetic performance and us photographers are trying to keep up with frontman Tom Harris. Who needs a gym when you are a Rockstar and on stage every night! Their set of modern rock had me thinking back to the 90s when Nirvana first made their mark. Not a bad band to be compared to I guess.

A quick interval to get the stage set up for what’s to come. It was their final UK date of The Takedown Tour which will take them to Continental Europe next. The crowd now buzzing with anticipation are made out of young and not so young fans. Rock Music lovers who brought their teenage kids to witness great live music.

Most are wearing various Crows T-shirts and couldn’t wait to get the show started. If I thought The Cruel Knives were energetic, then I clearly knew nothing.

This was the first time I had seen the Crows live and I was in for a treat. Whatever is in their diet, I want some! Lead singer Shane Greenhall comes last on stage and the place explodes. His voice is powerful and has a certain quality in the lower range.

Having his idols (Kurt Cobain amongst them) tattooed on his left arm, it is obvious who influenced him growing up. He is clearly grateful to his fans and rewarded them by heading into the crowd and showing up on the balcony. They were delighted!

Half way through the set, drummer Ronnie Huxford and Bassist Lloyd Wood team up for a drum and bass solo that gives the audience a great insight into their on stage chemistry and how much they enjoy jamming with each other. And it is a joy to watch and listen to. Fantastic!

Formed in 2014 in Bridgend, their fan base and popularity amongst rock fans have grown massively and it showed. Their songs reflect their upbringing in the South Wales Valleys and life’s relatable ups and downs which sadly we all face sooner or later.

The majority of the set list features great old fashion rock songs plus the odd rock ballad, all taken from their 2020 album ‘Point of no return’ and their latest album ‘Inhale/Exhale’. Singer Greenhall at one point shows that he is also a skilled musician and gets behind the keyboard for ‘Blink of an eye’. A real treat in my book.

Rock’n’roll is definitely not dead (who said that!!) and the next generation is certainly waiting in the wings, having been influenced by 80s/90s rock classics. And who can blame them?

Set list – The Cruel Knives