The impossible became possible when Scottish band Biffy Clyro took to the mainstream, and whether or not that was down to the success of previous X Factor winner Matt Cardle (who?) releasing their song 'Many Of Horror' doesn't matter, but let's hope it's not. Playing arenas such as the O2 came naturally to them, while most of their songs seem to be made solely to be played in such huge arenas. People may have thought that their link to the X Factor would lose them some credibility - in fact it was much the opposite. Their two hour set, with half of it coming from their latest offering 'Opposites', shows they have come back bigger and even better. After 18 years of being together, it's as if the three-piece - Simon Neil and brothers James and Ben Johnston - knew they would get to the bigtime eventually.
 |
| Photo: Music Review Unsigned |
The thousands of fans pack in to the venue chanting 'mon the Biff', but before this, City and Colour, Canadian frontman Dallas Green and his band take to the stage. In any other setting, he can be brilliant. But providing support for these rockers, it is less than that. There's no doubt that the songs and the band are good, very good in fact, and Green continues to thank the audience for seeing them on their trip to Ireland, but it seems more like background noise for most as they wait for the main attraction.
After what feels like a lifetime, the band arrive onstage in their usual attire - trousers and their instrument - with an impressive backdrop of the nervous system, and launch straight into 'Different People', the first song from their new album 'Opposites'. It only takes a few seconds for the song and the audience to come to life. Their excitement at finally seeing the band is shown. Playing old songs, including 'Justboy' from their debut album, as well as newer ones and some anthems from their most popular albums Puzzle and Only Revolutions, with their infectious grunge and often old-school rock songs, the band show they're not ready to go completely into the mainstream yet.
'Bubbles', 'Who's Got A Match?' and 'Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies' are the songs to provide entertainment and much excitement from the band and the crowd alike. They move quickly from these 'heavier' songs, into softer ballads such as the aforementioned 'Many Of Horror' and 'Mountains'. It's things like this that set Biffy Clyro apart from other bands and one can easily tell why they have earned their right to headline arenas. 'God and Satan' is one of the most anticipated songs of the night, and we see Neil alone with a guitar in the spotlight with a tricolor flag draped around him. They continue with their set, barely stopping to take a breath, and eventually come to an end with 'The Captain'.
The audience certainly don't let themselves down, as straight away the classic 'olé, olé, olé' begins, and even more of 'mon the Biff', when the band come back with an encore of three more songs, 'Skylight', 'Stingin' Belle', and finally finishing the stunning 26 song set with 'Mountains'. With a brilliant atmosphere, one of the best that this onlooker has ever seen, and incredibly energetic show, by the end the crowd were sweating as much or possibly even more than the band were. The men thanked the audience for coming out to see them, said how great of a crowd they were, and hoped to be back soon, but they mostly let their songs do all the talking. If the audience's reaction is anything to go by, Biffy are only going to get bigger and better. And well deserved.
