Live Reviews

2/5

Performance (2/5)

Billy Lunn at the forefront enthusiastic as ever  alongside Charlotte Cooper and Josh Morgan seemed to enjoy their  “lacklustre” show in Newcastle’s 02 Academy ( 25th September). Cannot fault the effort put in, but all a bit too much familiar and boring with every song baring a resemblance to the previous song played, and  the songs from their latest album ‘Money and Celebrity’ all a bit too pop sounding. The band did however seem to enjoy themselves and a minority of the audience responded with tamed head banging and “mosh pits”.

Setlist (3/5)

Can’t fault the band for mixing it up with songs from all three albums, introducing themselves to the Newcastle audience with ‘Oh Yeah,’ they started off well before the night gradually went from classic subways to a pop concert and  ‘Money and Celebrity’ was plugged failing to pick the majority of the crowd up off their feet.

Crowd Interaction (3/5)

Billy Lunn and Charlotte Cooper encouraged the Newcastle fans to get involved and sing along with well known Subways songs such as “Mary” and “ Rock n Roll Queen” . They encouraged the crowd to get moshing and Billy even joined in throwing himself into the audience.

Image (2/5)

Billy Lunn with the usual skateboard(y)  look, and sporting peculiar red hair further added to the immature direction the band seemed to have taken, however can’t complain with Subways bassist Charlotte Cooper as she still managed to get her “ rock” and sweat on sporting a short dress.

Overall (3/5)

After a long time away (2008) The Subways had plenty of time to follow up their reputation as a great live band and perhaps they may have been able to but I feel “ Money and Celebrity” is a backwards step for the band and has attracted a more mainstream audience hindering what could have been a good night in the O2.  I got the sense for a “rock” band it was all a little too pop orientated and quite cheesy at times. After hearing the latest album I was hoping the live show would bring me round and I would become a fan of their latest work, however it has done the opposite.