Razorlight - The Forum, north London
Confidence has never been an issue for Razorlight’s songwriting mastermind and ego-in-chief Johnny Borrell. Last night at The Forum, taking the stage for the finale of this year’s Q Awards: The Gigs with Russian Standard Vodka, he showed no nerves at all, leading the band straight into hit singles Golden Touch and Somewhere Else.
While other bands might have been tempted to stockpile a few of their best-known songs for the encore, Borrell and the band, sprinkled them throughout a set dominated by songs from new album Slipway Fires.
Following the opening salvo of familiar favourites, new song Tabloid Lover sounded vital and far more convincing live than on record. The same can be said for the spiky North London Trash and new piano-driven single Wire To Wire, both of which fit snugly into Razorlight’s repertoire of anthemic indie rock.
Later in the set, freed from the need to shoulder his guitar, Borrell wheeled round the stage, pulling out his best Bono circa Live At Red Rocks moves and singing directly to the front row of the enthusiastic capacity crowd. By the time an Elvis comeback special aping neon sign spelling out “Razorlight” appeared and the band crashed into Stumble And Fall, the audience were ecstatic.
It was perhaps not the best point to turn down the tempo with The House, the slightly awkward piano ballad that closes Slipway Fires. However, the band redeemed themselves finishing with a trio of stonking singalongs: possible future single and posh girl anthem Burberry Blue Eyes, In The Morning and a speedy dash through their second single Rip It Up. Say what you like about Borrell, the boy knows how to do bombast.
Mic Wright
10:35 AM | 03/10/2008
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