Bristol O2 Academy , Jan 15th 2023
MAY-A
It seems most of Bristol had the same idea as we did… get down early to catch “support” MAY-A
Trust us when we say there is nothing support about this break out Aussie star. MAY-A is a headliner in their own right.
We first become aware via 2022’s collab with fellow Australian electronic musician and producer Flume. So when we heard a UK tour with Wallows was in the offing there was no stopping us.
The gig was sold out and the venue was already packed to bursting by the time our Southern Hemisphere cousin took the stage. Leading the line of a energetic four that has all the sass & attitude you’d expect of a 2020s artist on the cusp of exploding.
Energetic from start to finish, even running the full length of the pit at one stage. It was a set that delivered and set the tone for the rest of the evening.
MAY-A proving that distance is no barrier to great music as song lyrics were joined in by a crowd that was, very obviously, already familiar with the growing star.
Stage presence oozed from a performer that honed their skills busking from the age of 11.
We are treated to a plethora of songs from 21’s “Don’t Kiss Your Friends” EP and getting to hear latest release “Sweat You Out My System” live was an absolute treat.
MAY-A can leave Bristol knowing current fans were very happy. And a legion of new fans are in the bank. A trend I am sure will continue for the rest of the UK tour.
WALLOWS
Six years in the making, six years in the waiting…
Bristol has patiently been awaiting its first Wallows live experience for some six years. Never until Sunday night had the city’s path crossed with the bedroom pop masters formed out of Los Angelas. Would it be worth the wait? Well that question was answered inside 3 minutes of Braeden Lemasters (guitar/vocals), Cole Preston (guitar/drums), and Dylan Minnette (guitar/vocals) walking on stage to a deafening scream from a sold out O2 crowd.
Launching straight into the up tempo, singalong indie pop anthems that have seen the band rise to global superstar level. We get “I Don’t Want To Talk”, “Remember When” and “Dig What You Dug” like a heavy weight boxer throws a fast combo. The crowd giddy with excitement and threatening to cause structural damage with their decibel level.
The band are in a relaxed and playful mood with each other and the crowd. Asking those in attendance if they were having a good time… they clearly were.
The set is HUGE, twenty songs in all that show the depth of both new album “Tell Me That It’s Over” and the bands back catalogue of hits. A remarkable number considering this is only the start of the bands sixth year. The set is peppered with global smashes such as “Pleaser” and “Wish Me Luck”. All delivered with a relaxed and friendly demeanour that was echoed with the crowd. The biggest compliment we can pay the band, the numerous times they could have easily ceased playing and the crowd would have carried on with word perfect renditions of their songs. As if to emphasise just how huge Wallows have become the encore is a double up of “Scrawny” and “Are You Bored Yet?” Two songs with combined streams approaching one BILLION plays.
No we were not bored yet. And likely never will be.
We hope Wallows grace the city again well within the next six years.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography / The Bristol Nomad
@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
