The Kerrang! Tour 2013

The Kerrang! Tour 2013

Manchester Academy and Liverpool O2 Academy

February 4th and 9th 2013

I was so excited to get tickets for the K! tour from my little sis for my birthday as I have been an avid Kerrang! reader for years and the previous K! Tours I have attended have been really good nights.  I have also been a big fan of Black Veil Brides since they burst into the UK in 2011 (although I am probably their oldest fan!)

For those who have never experienced a Kerrang! Tour, it is usually a two week tour organised and promoted by Kerrang! magazine and usually show cases four bands.  It tours the academy venues across the UK, (and although The Blackout were on stand by again this year they were not required!)

As it turned out I ended up going to both the Manchester and the Liverpool dates (not that I was complaining!)

Unfortunately we missed most of the first set at the Manchester gig as the academy staff seemed to be really slow letting people in that night, but in order to make sure that didn't happen in Liverpool we got there two hours early.

Fearless Vampire Killers were a great opening band.  Their songs are up beat and you just can't help bouncing along.  Front men Kier and Laurence ooze charisma and their split set (Kier singing during the first half while Laurence plays guitar and then swapping roles for the second half) is a great way of show casing the talents of both singers.

Singing songs from their album 'Militia of the Lost', they belted out a great set including songs such as 'Bite Down On My Winchester', 'Could We Burn, Darling', 'Fetish For The Finite', 'Bow Ties On Dead Guys' and a very rock version of Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing'

Their theatrical look sets the tone of the music and their energy and enthusiasm is contagious.  We were lucky enough to meet Kier, Laurence, Drew and Cyrus at the Liverpool gig and they are a genuinely nice group of gents.  They were happy to spend time with their fans and pose for photos and sign (a variety) of things.

Next up were pop punk Tonight Alive who we saw last year.  When we saw them the last time they didn't really set my world on fire as a lot of Jenna's vocal got lost in the volume of the music, however I do realise that these people are only human and everyone has an off night and some venues don't suit all artists.  Plus I always like to give people a second chance.

Tonight  Alive produced a high energy set with songs such as 'Breaking and Entering', 'Wasting Away' and the ballad 'Amelia'.  The Australian quintet had the crowd bouncing and even managed a mosh pit or two in Manchester. 

There were a couple of times that Jenna's vocals got lost in the music during the Manchester show but the sound levels at the Liverpool Academy were much better and proved that she does have a cracking voice.

Next to take the stage were American band Chiodos, fronted by Craig Owens (also front man of D.R.U.G.S.).  Chiodos had a more metal sound and had the audience moshing along to their strangely titled songs 'There's no Penguins in Alaska' and 'Is It Progression If A Cannibal Uses A Fork?'.

All through the set at Manchester Chiodos had the audience in the palm of their hands however at the Liverpool show they had to rein them back in after some disrespectful person decided to start a chant for BVB during their set.  Owens , however did not get angry or stroppy as some rock stars would he simply reminded the crowd that they should show some respect.  Respect to Mr Owens and his crew!  I will definitely be going to see these guys the next time the hit UK shores.

During the set changes the back ground music was courtesy of William Control (aka Will Francis, lead singer of Aiden), who played a very diverse set of songs each night, ranging from Nirvana to Frank Sinatra.  William Control has been touring with the Black veil Brides on their 'Church of the Wild Ones Tour' as the voice of F.E.A.R., so they brought him with them to the K! Tour.  Although you actually only get to see him twice during the show (and only for a few minutes), his presence is known during his awesome DJ sets. I had a great time singing along to songs I had not heard for ages!

During the Liverpool show William Control walked straight through the crowd, obviously thinking that no one would recognise him until after his part in the BVB set, so when I spotted him and said hi he looked quite shocked but was sweet enough to pose for a picture with me before continuing on his way.

Last on the stage were the almighty Black Veil Brides.  These guys have accumulated a huge (mainly teenage) following since their appearance on the second stage at Download Festival in 2011. 

Starting with the song 'I Am Bullet Proof' from their new album 'The Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones', BVB started as they meant to go on. 

Singing songs from all three albums we were treated to hits such as 'Perfect Weapon', 'Fallen Angels', 'The Legacy', 'New Religion' and 'Rebel Love Song'.

The BVB guys also treated us to a brilliant cover of Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell' alongside hits from the new album including 'Nobody's hero' and the title track 'Wretched and Divine'.

Finishing with  'In the End' featuring an appearance from William Control, Black Veil Brides left the crowd looking at their watches wondering where the time had gone.  BVB are definitely one to watch in their bid for world domination....  some might say they are already there!