Brit-nominated Feeder have been a favourite band of mine since hearing their debut EP ‘Two Colours’ back in 1995. Since which they have received critical acclaim, cult status and mainstream success.
The recent album release ‘Renegades’ is a return to the edgy and heavier sound of Feeder with tunes reminiscent of their early albums. This is highlighted during the first three numbers of the evening, with ‘Insomnia’ from ‘Yesterday Went Too Soon’, sandwiched in-between 2010 offerings ‘Barking Dogs’ and ‘Sentimental’.
It’s no surprise that Feeder’s UK tour is a complete sell-out before they head off across Europe, Africa and Australia. With hordes packed into intimate venues such as Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall, it is quite clear that they are as popular as ever. Vocalist and guitarist Grant Nicholas thanks the crowd for turning out, saying: “It’s good to be back here for the first time in ten years!”
Proceeding with a setlist that includes every shade of Nicholas’s gifted song writing: ‘This Town’, ‘Feeling A Moment’, ‘Renegades’, ‘Pushing The Senses’, ‘Down To The River’, ‘Just The Way I’m Feeling’, ‘Buck Rogers’ and ‘White Lines’ continues a faultless show. New drummer and brummy lad Karl Brazil prematurely starts ‘Come Back Around’, halted by Nicholas quipping: “Just because you’re in your hometown, there’s no excuse to get carried away!” The track is eventually played, followed by ‘Home’, ‘High’ and ‘Lost & Found’.
Nicholas and bass player Taka Hirose bounce around with endless enthusiasm, with no rock star egos or arrogance, whilst Brazil is well received, cementing his addition to the band. And before we know it, Feeder are playing their last song of the main set, the high-tempo single ‘Call Out’.
The encore consists of ‘Tumble & Fall’, ‘Seven Days In The Sun’, ‘Just A Day’ and ‘The End’, completing a superb performance from one of Wales’s finest bands.
It’s been over fifteen years since I first heard Feeder and booked them to play my local venue. I raved about them in 1995 and I still rave about them in 2010. The only difference is that now people know who I’m talking about .. and quite rightly so.
Review & Photography: Steve Johnston
