JAWS - Live Review

JAWS - Think Tank, Newcastle (24/9/14)

Callum Thornhill

With the release of debut album 'Be Slowly' being released just over a week before, it was inevitable that Jaws' latest tour was going to be a chance for them to showcase the record in it's full glory.

The tour reached Newcastle on 24th September 2014, and in one of the smallest venues I've ever experienced the band brought a groovy feel to the region. Connor Schofield and co. opened the gig with the track Be Slowly. From the first chord being strummed the crowd went berserk - understandably so. A wild surge of teenagers being thrown from the back of the crowd into the floor monitors on stage - with the venue being so small it was hard not to be smashed into the stage.

Playing through the new album and dropping in classics from their Milkshake EP such as Donut and Breeze the gig was in full flow and the crowd were loving it. With no barrier separating the audience and the stage, the stage was being used as a step-up for anyone wanting to crowd surf. As the set list progressed, the Newcastle United shirt wearing Connor Schofield dedicated their track Friend Like You, once again from the Milkshake EP, to Jonas Gutierrez who is currently suffering from testicular cancer. A real heartfelt touch and symbolising just how modest Jaws are.

Twelve songs played and only one left to go, Jaws were supping up the applause and cheers from the crowd, and deservedly so. Closing with one of the highlights of the new album, Gold, the crowd went wild for it. Singing, no, screaming their hearts out to every word spoken by the Birmingham four piece, the night came to a closure.

P.S.

What made the night even better was playing football with the band after the show. However, ripping my jeans wasn't as fun. I managed to get referenced by band member Alex Hudson though...