Cambridge based rockers Mallory Knox returned to Nottingham as a part of their homecoming tour to take Rock City by storm. If we truly are defined by the company we keep, then Mallory Knox did themselves a wonderful service tonight.
The Xcerts opened the show to a half full (or half empty if you’re that kinda guy) Rock City. Tearing through a relatively short set, the band displayed the song-writing capabilities of modern day Biffy Clyro, infused with the angst of their earlier years. Receiving a warm reaction, the band close their set impressively, filling Rock City with thunderous bass chords and victorious melodies.
Following The Xcerts were Floridian pop-punk troupe Set It Off, who were in show-stealing form. It would be very easy to spend the rest of this review remarking on how incredibly impressive the vocals of Cody Carson were, with their distinct similarity to the tone of Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump. But what is much more noteworthy is his ability to interact with the crowd. Every member of Set It Off established themselves as a true showman on this night. It suddenly became a question of whether or not Mallory Knox could follow them.
“The musical performance was exactly what anyone could expect from Mallory Knox, slicked back, professional Rock with infectious Pop melodies”
Fortunately, Mallory Knox were on good form. The band really have upped their game over the past couple of years, demonstrating a big step up in their professionalism. The use of projectors, screens and giant LED logos left everyone in the audience impressed. That was before the music had even started. As soon as ‘Shout At The Moon’ started the crowd reached a fever pitch. The musical performance was exactly what anyone could expect from Mallory Knox, slicked back, professional Rock with infectious Pop melodies.
Sing-a-longs became an integral part of the gig, as did jumping and a smattering of mosh pits. The distinctly young audience ate it all up and provided an electric atmosphere. Despite the tour not being designed to promote any specific album, the set was dominated by songs from the band’s second album Asymmetry, with frontman Mikey Chapman claiming that they were just excited to play all the songs they didn’t get a chance to on their latest tour.
“Have we really reached a point where Rock music has an early bedtime?”
There were only two faults to be found with the show, and both were due to circumstances beyond the band’s control. Firstly, encores only really need to happen if they’re going to be pulled off very well, and this one wasn’t. Leaving the lights as they were between songs and ending the main set with a calm song left the fans feeling that time was being wasted. Secondly, the band finished at half past nine, and concertgoers were escorted out of the venue, in order to allow clubbers to pay £6 to come in and replace them. Have we really reached a point where Rock music has an early bedtime?
Liam Fleming
