Blue October - At an iconic venue in London

****1/2

Play their classic album 'Foiled' in London

Blue October ****1/2 released their fourth album, 'Foiled', twenty years ago, and it turned into their breakthrough record. The songs still sound so fresh, so I really don't believe it has been that long. Songs like 'Into the Ocean' and 'Hate Me' sound like they were recorded only yesterday. And for Blue October's die-hard fanbase, this is a unique chance to hear the record in full, something they may never get the chance to do again. I have to say, hearing a record in full is for a fan or for someone who really got into an album.

And Blue October know this, so they address this at the London Roundhouse with an encore which is truly spectacular. So you really get the best of both Worlds, the classic album and the hits. They come to the stage in a misty, dark Roundhouse, and break into melodies that are special and magical. The Roundhouse has recently been very dark, and they really use too much smoke. We also found this when we covered the two Jane's Addiction shows there, not that long ago. I remember the days of the iTunes festival, where the lighting and atmosphere of the venue was like nothing else. But sadly, over the years, this has changed, and the iconic venue has such a different feel to it.

Maybe this is because of the ongoing restoration of the venue; they keep charging people a restoration fee every time they purchase a ticket. So the venue must be having a few troubles paying for everything in recent years. So many iconic acts have played over the years, including The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, Jimi Hendrix and Ozzy Osbourne. And this is me only naming a few of them, I have personally seen some amazing shows there. 

Blue October are a band of great musicians, but most people think of them for their frontman. They think of the emotion that is delivered to the World by Singer / Songwriter / Frontman Justin Furstenfeld, whose live voice is like nothing else. If you have not heard him sing live, you will be shocked by the power and pure beauty of his vocals. When you are talking about the album 'Foiled', think of two of the last tracks they play tonight, 18th floor Balcony' and 'It's just Me', which are just mesmerising tonight and two of the highlights of the evening.

A few songs from the album 'Foiled' surprise me tonight. And I like them better now than I did before; they just came across so well. I think they have a new life to them, even though I think the Blue October play most of them the same as you would hear them on the record. Actually, two songs that come after each other in the set, 'Overweight' and 'X-Amount of Words', I have been listening to these tracks all morning. Other songs that really stand out in the 'Foiled' set are 'What if I Could' and 'Evelasting Friend', both of which show off the band's musical scope.

The encore starts with two sing-along giants 'Sway' and 'Say It', which are greeted by a lot of voices that know every word. 'Say It' has such a strong and powerful chorus, but if you are really talking about power and emotion, then you can't forget 'Fear'. I think 'Fear' is one of the greatest songs ever written, and I was totally blown away when I first heard it done live. You experience the bands' more commercial edge on songs like 'Moving On (So Long)' and 'Home', which are just so radio-friendly and made to be chart hits. Showing the band can appeal to a commercial and Alternative audience, but at the same time keeping their mystique. So as they finish with the electronically driven 'I hope you're Happy', you know you have seen a band that should be legendary in an iconic venue. And that you were very lucky to do so, because in this current World, who knows how many more times you will get the chance to do so. 

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Blue October - Setlist
=========================
You make me Smile
She's my ride Home
Into the Ocean
What if we Could
Hate Me
Let it Go
Congratulations
Overweight
X-Amount of Words
Drilled a wire through my Cheek
Sound of pulling Heaven Down
Everlasting Friend
18th floor Balcony
It's just Me
-------------------------
Sway
Say It
Oh My, My
Home
Fear
Moving On (So Long)
Down here Waiting
I hope you're Happy

Check Out! the Video for 'Into the Ocean' Below...