After announcing their huge tour off the back of the release of their insatiably charming 6th album Song From The Wedding Cake, which includes nights at massive venues such as Co-op Live and the iconic Ally Pally, Blossoms suprisingly blessed us with some slightly more intimate album release shows across the country; and safe to say I had to be there. The Stockport five took to the stage at Liverpool’s O2 Academy last night, and quickly it became clear that their appeal stretches far beyond the songs themselves, with a crowd who seemed to know every word, every melody and every moment by heart.
Before the show has even started, you really get a feel of how vast and electric their fanbase is. From the young lads a few spaces ahead (one of which was about 30 years too late to be called Gary as frontman Tom called out) to the older bloke to my left, the bricked-out room is already bouncing to the anthems playing over the speakers as anticipation keeps rising. The lights finally dim down as Blossoms enter the stage to a booming jubilation from the crowd, this might seem like a cliché of gigs, but it could not be truer, especially as the intro melody of There’s A Reason Why soundtracks their walk on and the crowd know they’re already in for one of the biggest indie tracks of the last decade.
The sound is noticeably sparkly throughout all tracks and is surprisingly fluid considering the differing sounds on display between each era of Blossom’s ever evolving sound. Whether it’s the shimmering tightly controlled synthetic bass line of Honey Sweet or the rhythmically loose disco anthem Additional Driver, there is not even the slightest drop off from a production standpoint and that seriously carries the energy of the performance.
This in particular makes Blossoms such an enduring force in British indie. The ability to move between these different sounds without ever feeling like they’re losing their identity is something really special. There is a certain familiarity to their music, they’ve seriously got the key for writing melodies that feel as though they’ve been lodged in your head for years, even on the first listen. The newer material slots comfortably alongside the older favourites, and rather than feeling like a set split between the past and present, the whole thing feels like a celebration of just how far they’ve have come since their self titled debut.
One of the night’s more memorable moments comes when the band hands the decision-making over to the crowd, offering a painstaking choice between three incredible tracks in Mothers, Cut Me and I’ll Bleed, and My Swimming Brain. In a room already brimming with enthusiasm, it’s a nice touch that adds an even more personal element to the performance, making the audience feel as though they’re playing a part in shaping the setlist rather than simply being along for the ride. Mothers ultimately comes out on top to my delight, and whilst the prospect of hearing either of the other two would undoubtedly go down just as well, there’s something particularly satisfying about seeing the band’s own fanbase dictate the direction of the night, even if only for one song.
Without disregarding the performance from the band as a whole, who always bring the highest peak of energy, it’s hard to be at a Blossoms gig without focusing on the main man, Tom Ogden. He really was built to perform, and it feels extremely evident here, the whole crowd are completely mesmerised by the threshold he has over the microphone and its cable, and his glamorous movements across the stage. There’s an almost effortless charisma to the way he carries himself, moving between moments of theatrical flair and genuine connection with the audience and it never once feels as if he’s forcing it. Whether he’s commanding the room through the soaring melodies or simply playing up to the crowd between songs, Ogden possesses that rare frontman quality that makes it difficult to look anywhere else. It’s a presence that elevates the performance beyond the music itself, giving Blossoms that extra layer of personality which makes their live shows feel so distinctive.
For a band preparing to take their biggest shows yet to some of the country’s most enormous venues, nights like this serve as a reminder that Blossoms don’t need a massive stage to make a massive impression. Six albums into their career, they continue to find new ways to keep their sound fresh without losing the melodic charm that makes them so instantly recognisable. Song From The Wedding Cake only adds another dimension to an already formidable discography , and if tonight in Liverpool is anything to go by, the upcoming tour is going to be something rather special. For all the talk of arena shows, there is something arguably even more special seeing a band like Blossoms in a room this size, where every chorus feels communal and every moment feels that little bit more personal. Long may it continue, and long may Mothers remain on the setlist.
Blossoms will be tour this winter performing at the following venues:
Mon 23 Nov – Belfast, Ulster Hall
Tues 24 Nov – Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre
Thu 26 Nov – Cardiff, Utilita Arena – Special Guests: The Royston Club
Fri 27 Nov – London, Alexandra Palace – Special Guests: The Royston Club (Sold Out)
Sat 28 Nov – Manchester, Co-op Live – Special Guests: The Royston Club (Sold Out)
Thu 3 Dec – Leeds, First Direct Arena – Special Guests: The Royston Club
Fri 4 Dec – Birmingham, Utilita Arena – Special Guests: The Royston Club
Sat 5 Dec – Glasgow, OVO Hydro – Special Guests: The Royston Club
Fri 11 Dec – Manchester, Co-op Live – Special Guests: The Royston Club
