Live Review

Cast – O2 Academy, Liverpool

• 15th Dec 2010

The crowd were all of the same era, nearly familiar faces from 15 years ago of a similar age group, and mainly male (unfortunately!) but then again Cast did fit into the ‘lad-rock’ category quite easily, even if they didn’t intent to. Pink Floyd-esque music played as they entered the forum, what else do you expect from John Power and his ‘cosmic’ ways. They appeared nervous, like a new young band, and I was unsure why. Maybe they put the pressure on themselves as they wanted the night to be perfect. It was. They were at home, amongst friends and people who idolise them, so there was nothing to prove. Fans were there because we genuinely wanted to be, to remember one of the great influential groups that helped create a pivotal part of guitar musical history in the mid-90’s. No-one was there to judge or dissect them, just simply to enjoy and reminisce.

The nerves disappeared and they grew in confidence after the first 3 numbers, Reflections, Back Of My Mind and Sandstorm: instant stompers. The crowd instantly took to them and were already bouncing and singing. Already the sound and energy was exact to the album, including Power’s voice. Tell It like It Is proved that it didn’t feel like they’d been away for 9 years. Skin’s guitaring was played exactly to the note as if he’d been playing All Change since its release in 1995. A bit like George Harrison’s guitaring in The Beatles, each one of his riffs simply fits each song like a glove, just playing the right thing at the right time. This continued and did not waver once, but then again, neither did the bass playing, backing vocals nor drumming. There was no need to change the sound so they didn’t even attempt to.

Finetime was a highlight of highlights. The same crunchy guitar sound took us back as if they had never been away. They cocked-up Four Walls but such was the atmosphere in there, it didn’t matter. Like true professionals, they made humour of it, we all laughed, and they cracked on with us all singing in unison. For some reason, Magic Hour, another acoustic chilled number, had everyone bouncing also. It didn’t make sense but at the same time, it did.

Not just All Change was played. They also threw in Guiding Star and Live The Dream, other classics from Mother Nature Calls, but then the crowd peaked it’s energy levels when Alright was played, inclusive of the typical upbeat classic Scouse riff and yet another sing-a-long. We all knew every word to every song anyway. Simply, this one particularly lifted the roof off more than any other tune. Only then the lads started to relax a bit and enjoy the night even more so, engaging with the crowd more so. Keith O’Neill’s drumming and personality generated the enthusiasm for the entire gig as expected, even during the slower songs.

The time came for Walkaway, and as expected, this was the emotional connection the band must have all wanted between them and us. Drunk men with arms around each other singing like a football crowd, maybe one or two tears shed also; it wouldn’t surprise me, a sight to behold. Everyone connecting with Power’s lyrical simplicity in in philosophising and optimism. He certainly hits the spot.

In contrast, not one of his lyrical masterpieces, but again Flying had us all transfixed. Preceded with O’Neill’s drum solo then mixed with Skin’s crunchy guitaring it built up to Power’s inimitable Scouse singing perfectly.

Time for an encore. Well, they had no choice in the matter. They weren’t leaving us that easily. Doing complete justice in covering The Who’s ‘The Seeker’ (one of my favourites) was a great surprise. Followed by Better Man, a B-side for the hardcore fans, these then led to the masterpiece that is History. This had such a fantastic build up from Skin, tapping the guitar almost Jimi Hendrix-esque and creating such a unique advanced pyrotechnic sound was such an apt ending to a top night where my mate and I relived a small great part of our teenage years. Due to popular demand, Free Me was the second encore, but we all left wondering why Cast had been away for so long and waiting impatiently for the next phase of their career in their next album.