Absent Elk By Weshootgigs
Brighton band Absent Elk and their friends in Hold Fire really knew how to keep fans warm on a soggy November night after hitting the stage at Liverpool O2 Academy last week.
Having supported the likes of The Script, The Hoosiers, Keane and Girls Aloud, Absent Elk have built up quite a fan base over the past few years, so it’s no surprise that the place was bursting with bodies eager to see what the boys had in store.
Opening with the catchy Where I’d Rather Be, the band really got into their stride with their second song, Sun and Water, which, as their debut single, was an instant hit with the crowd.
Mixed with the likes of That’s All and the funky reggae beats of My First Guitar, the band really knew how to get the crowd bouncing and clapping along rhythmically before an acoustic guitar version of the beautiful melody Change my World slowed things down.
For me, the highlight of the night had to be their cover of the Lady GaGa monster track, Poker Face, which was bound to get even the smallest of Absent Elk fans tapping their feet to this summer anthem.
The rest of the evening consisted of a melting pot of songs from the rockier sounds of Queen Of Hearts to the James Bond inspired Nothing I Can Do, Bleeding Ink and Better Than You, all topped off with their next release, Emily.
After a brief break whilst Kjetil treated everyone to a skilful rendition of Comfort Or Amuse, the band closed the proceedings with before Let Me Know, and before I knew it, I was back on the pavement and struggling to keep the warmth inside my jacket.
All in all, a great performance by what surely should be one of the next generation of pop bands to follow in the line of great indie pop bands.
Photos by John Everard of weshootgigs