Words and Photos By Steve Dempsey (Down the Barrel Photography)
Feeder returned to Dublin after a 4 year absence on Sunday night for their latest tour on the back of the stunning new album All Bright Electric.
The reception is loud and enthusiastic as the lights go down and the projector behind the drum kit is filled with visual delights. That classic Feeder sound is omnipresent on All Bright Electric and it’s interesting to see how the new material rests alongside the stonewall classics. Early on, the tempo of ‘Renegades’ is the first real opportunity for the power of the band to be shown.
Poppy, heavy, melodic and frantic, it’s everything the crowd are looking for and they let the band know with aplomb. Live on stage is where Feeder excel. Taka Hirose is a dynamo of rhythmic fury that rarely stands still.
His low end rumblings complement the soundscapes eschewed from Grant Nicholas and touring musicians, Dean, Tom and Geoff. Between songs Grant mentions that they don’t care about chart positions, but also comments that they’re proud to be in the top ten albums in the UK. “Let’s try getting it into your top ten” – maybe they do care a little, eh?
Balancing the light and the dark makes the set an interesting dynamic on the night, and “middle era” Feeder songs like “Pushing The Senses” and “Come Back Around” show that while during that writing period, they were reflective and almost grieving though their music, they also used emotion to create songs that still tug on the emotions of those before them. “Geezer” from the new album is a menacing highlight along with the upbeat “Paperweight”.
The set is littered with hit after hit. And speaking of hits, “High” really gets the crowd singing along. At times, Grant looks at the screen and laughs at some of the images of Taka and himself being projected. There is a genuine good feeling and palpable sense of togetherness and enjoyment emanating from the stage and as they close their set, the floor of the academy is heaving as Grant teases with a soulful “Buck Rogers” intro.
All it does is build anticipation and when the song storms in, you can feel the floor and balcony heaving from the bouncing souls. Returning for a three song encore, Feeder delight in the reaction and let us know that they love playing Dublin. “Infrared/Ultraviolet”, “Seven Days in the Sun” and a rollicking “Just a Day” close an evening of celebration, happiness and positivity at Dublin’s Academy.
Thanks to Steve for covering the gig on our behalf! – Mosh
