Out and About With….Fatherson
Gig Review
Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
2nd July 2022
Photography by Erin Conolley Written by Luke Knowles
One thing that I’ve loved about writing a music blog is the opportunities to cover music and shows from acts that I’ve been a fan of for many years. So when given the opportunity to attend the Birmingham date of Fathersons UK tour, I snapped it up without hesitation. From the moment I heard ‘Under the Air’ from their EP Where the Water Meets the Land (2010) I was hooked on their sound and have enjoyed listening to their musical evolution. So obviously It was a big aim for me to see them perform. 12 year later, I got my wish and they lived up to every expectation effortlessly.
Just before arriving at the Castle & Flacon I found out that Fatherson would be supported by one of the big hitters on my ‘Brummie Bucket list’, The Pines. Knowing this I made sure to get there in more than enough time to grab a front row portion to watch what I imagined would be an electrical performance…it didn’t disappoint.
Way back in 2020 or 2021, those two years sort of blur with each other for me, I had the great pleasure of interviewing The Pines. Immediately I got a sense that they were a band that should be experienced live. So as the crossed the stage and took up positions I could already feel the charge building off them. As they dove into their opening number it lashed out like a whip crack and immediately swept up the growing audience and gripped everyones attention. Their stage presence was so big and energetic that you couldn’t help but want to start lunging around with them.
Each member delivered an outstanding performance and they acted as a single unit. This was made even more impressive upon it being announced that this show was the drummers first gig with the band. From their sound and effortless stops and drops, I’d assumed that had been playing together for years. Not only is this a credit to the bands hard working nature but also to the natural talent of their new drummer. As the set moved on they broke into their latest single ‘Standard Model’ which was even better experienced live. Not soon after though it was time for the final song and you can be sure that they ended on a high. Not only did they get the crowd belting out their lyrics but they wrapped things up in true arena style and left the crowd cheering as they left the stage.
From this set, I can guarantee it won’t be long until they’re headlining the venue and packing out every room they enter. So glad I finally got to see them.
Now its time to breakdown my thoughts on the main event of the evening, Fatherson. As I stated above my joy at finally seeing this Scottish alt-indie band was through the roof. So it was with genuine joy that I cheered and applauded as the band strolled on stage and burst straight into their opening number. The sound, as always at the Castle & Falcon was spot on and really captured that atmospheric tone of the bands sound. Again, much like The Pines before them each member of Fatherson poured their heart and soul into each note. Every song was executed brilliantly and it was great to hear a mix of classic songs with their newer tunes from ‘Normal Fears’ (latest album out now).
The chemistry that the band shared with their open and excited audience was something to behold. Familiar songs were belted back with passion and you could see and feel the pure joy Fatherson felt in those moments. Whether it was through the sheer gratitude of the band that so many people had come out to see them or the beaming faces of the band as the joyful crowd sung out their lyrics with as much as passion as they could. It fun, epic, and memorable. So as they closed their set to wild applause and calls for more the band left the stage for moments before the audiences chatting pulled them back for one last blow out of an encore. Even as they let the final note ring out you almost got the sense that given the chance they would have gone on all night without missing a beat.
Overall I can definitely count this gig as one of my favourite ones of ’22 so far. I not only got to experience a band that I have loved for many years take the roof off one of my favourite venues in my home town, but I also got to see one of my new favourite local acts stir things up and show off the raw talent that’s percolating in the heart of Birmingham. My advice, if you see either of these bands pop up near you, grab a ticket and be prepared for a night of high octane alternative beauty.
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