Blue October - The emotion of love and hate

****

Pure emotion in London, and it isn't even October yet!!! or is it!!!!

Blue October **** played the London, Shepherds Bush o2 Empire last time they were over in the UK, and it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. Well if you can forget about the boxer, knocking the other guy out in the middle of the pit. Which was totally out of order, but did Blue October's fans still have so much hate for each other. Well the answer seems to be yes, because from the minute I got to the venue, I was having aggressive people make out of line statements to me. Which of course I chose to ignore, I am here for the music and not here for a fight.

The band come out to a smoky dark stage triumphantly for opening numbers 'Sway' and 'Say It', which are a gradual build up to a set that will not disappoint. Singer Justin Furstenfeld's hair might be even shorter than last time, but his vocals are no more less impressive. And he commands the stage, from start to finish... singing songs that everyone knows every lyric to. Blue October are a band that are about pure emotion, and maybe this is why their is some aggression in the air. 

But their songs bring a message of love, and getting through hard times... and dealing with what problems life has caused them. Not many bands these days, do this and this is a massive compliment to this band. Blue October really mean every word they put into their songs, and I think that is why they mean so much to me and other people that go to their shows. The passion of 'I want It' is uplifting, as you feel the mood get's lifted up and down 'So as I raise my hand in Grace'. I am already having a really good time, with a band that will get bigger and bigger over time (even when they are not still around, because this is music that will live forever).

As we get to 'Into the Ocean' the audience feel involved in the show, and this being a live favourite sing-a-long song... the band can just do no wrong. The love that Justin has for his 'Home', is amazing and this track shows that family is the most important thing to him... and that he considers all his friends his family as well as his actual family. This sets the scene for haunting tracks like 'When know where you Go' and the ever popular 'Fear', which go straight to your heart.

When of the best song in tonight's set is new single 'Daylight', which came out three months ago... and is a real groover and different from Blue October material on their last few records. It works really well how they go from this track, into 'Coal makes Diamonds'... both of these songs have an anthem esq. quality to them. I think this is one of the most impacting moments in Blue October's set, and I just simply love it.

Check Out! the Video for 'Daylight' Below...

After the main set closer, the chaotic 'Shake it Up'. The band know they need to come back on with something different, and that is an acoustic version of 'Hate Me'. Which is a nice intimate moment with Justin, ruined by idiots shouting out random things during it. So for me this is one of the low moments in the bands set, and that is not because of the band.

'Worry List' in comparison is great, and lifts up their performance again. And you feel the compassion of the band with songs like 'How to dance in Time' and 'Come back Home', and the magic of 'All that we Are' and the fantastic single 'I hope you're Happy' which I would say is the most popular track of the evening. 

This is a band that just can write mesmorising songs, 'All that we Are' just makes all the hairs on my body stand on edge. This would be the concert of my life, if they hadn't done an even better one last time they played... which I think will take some beating. I just can't believe that people that go to see a band that preach so much love, could have so much hate for each other (It's just not right).

It makes people worried about going to see this band, because they have to go upstairs to the balcony to avoid the agro. And you know if you have seen the show, you would want to run out and see this band... because they are just that good. But if I was you I would not worry about this, and I hope you're still happy to go see Blue October. I know I would not miss this concert for the World, this is a quality band... that should be one of the biggest in the World.

Blue October - Setlist
---------------------------------
Sway
Say It
I want It
King 
Into the Ocean 
I'll do Me, you do You
Home
We know where you Go
Fear
Daylight
Coal makes Diamonds
Shake it Up
--------------
Hate Me (Acoustic)
Worry List 
How to dance in Time
All that we Are
Come back Home
I hope you're Happy

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'I hope you're Happy' Below...