Bristol O2 Academy 12th October 2022
There was sweat, there was maybe some blood? But definitely some tears. The best way one could possibly describe The Amazons headline show at O2 Academy Bristol. A band who previously rose to fame with their breakout hit song ‘Stay With Me’, featured on FIFA 18, they can dictate and rule over a crowd from the moment they step on stage. They well and truly brought an infectious and insatiable energy to a rainy Wednesday evening, still as hungry as ever 6 shows down on a 12-date tour, across the UK and Ireland.
Notably, The Amazons partnered with the rising stars initiative BBC Introducing to provide support acts for their ‘How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?’ tour. Bristol’s support act, the incredible Prima Queen, was potentially one of the best opening acts I’ve ever seen. Their performance was one of my biggest takeaways from the night, I even bought a t-shirt before I left the venue. From the SUPPORT, I hear you say? Yep. That’s correct.
The melodic, feminine hard-hitting lyrics in songs such as the powerful ballad ‘Invisible Hand’ have stuck with me since, and seeing acts like Prima Queen support bigger shows reminds me how exciting the music industry continues to be; they truly are a breath of fresh air in the seemingly never-ending influx of supposed ‘industry plants’ within new music.
A striking part of The Amazons show was not only the mesmerising stage presence of the 4 man band hailing from Reading, but their ability to consistently perform at an almost pitch-perfect level throughout the show. Playing some of their older, well-known crowd pleasers such as ‘In My Mind’ and the newer ’Say It Again’, well on its way to being a classic singalong among their fans. Matt Thomson was the epitome of a rock band frontman, with that long, floppy-haired sex appeal paired with overwhelming confidence, but don’t let this take away from his incredible vocal talent.
The Amazons, one of the most underrated Rock bands to come from the latter end of the 2010s? It wouldn’t be far from the truth.
Daisy Kent – Music Photographer
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
