Been a fan for years narrowly missing them at the Isle of Wight Festival back in 2018 due to crossing delays and with tours since then not quite lining up, then this gig was postponed. The lady next to me excited “this is my fourth time” Not jealous at all!
That’s enough of the excuses, I was there and thank F#%K for that. A complete stage clearance after two fantastic support acts was done swiftly, almost a stealth build, never noticed a huge graphic wall directly in front of me. The DCC radio reminiscent of GTA at times played through with ABBA finishing off and a very vocal crowd excited and enthused at the imminent onslaught. Nothing but Thieves took the stage to a raucous applause and cheers and straight into the set.
The wall lit up in a red grid casting the colour tone across the band and the smoke. What followed was a band at the height of their power, faultless, but not to the point of being tame, faultless to a level higher that only a live performance can deliver. Conor Mason as a front man may not fit the classic mould but what is that these days. He owned that stage; his voice is something to behold live and his dance moves although self-mocked several times couldn’t suit better.
The rest of the band just brilliant, postering enough with guitars which is subconsciously impossible to avoid, clearly a bunch of guys loving what they do. The lighting and staging completed the overall experience. Bournemouth International Centre is what id call a medium sized venue but can still feel small when near the front and that just heightens everything.
A long overdue band/gig for me but won’t be the last. I’ve had a word with myself and will be creating time in the schedule in future.
Word and Photos by John Whalvin
