LIVE REVIEW: A Day to Remember @ O2 Academy, Brixton

On Tuesday I made the very last minute trip down to the O2 Academy Brixton to see Florida rockers A Day To Remember, supported by Manchester based hardcore band Guilt Trip. When I say last minute, I booked my ticket about an hour before leaving. Being an hour away from London with an easy route to a lot of venues really has it’s perks, and the spontaneous trips are always the best! It was a SWELTERING day but there was something so nice about heading out at 7pm to a gig without a jacket. No cloak room struggles for me this evening.  

The last time I visited this venue was a few years back to see While She Sleeps. I always admire the design of this venue, particularly the sloped floors. If you’re 5 foot 3 like me, then you’d understand. Despite attending this venue on my own, the atmosphere was warm (literally) and very welcoming. I think everyone was united in battling the heat and powering through the sweat and humidity to come and support their favourite band tonight.  

This was the first night of a 2 night appearance at the O2 Academy Brixton for the band. Having seen them just last month at Slamdunk Festival in Hatefield, I was excited to see how this set differed and what surprises were in store for us. Tonight’s support act was Guilt Trip. This is a group I’d heard a bit about but were not familiar with their music. Lead vocalist Jacob Valentine opened the night with high energy, supplying the spin kicks and two steps onstage. I certainly enjoyed watching the band onstage and found it impossible not to move and bang my head all the way through. The encouragement of circle pits in the crowd fell a little flat, whether it be to the heat or gig goers saving up their energy for the main event. I feel like in different circumstances this set would have gone OFF. For me it was an unexpected opener for A Day To Remember, the more obvious choice perhaps being a pop punk band, but I think it worked as a nod to the bands heavier side and metalcore influence. Despite this, I will definitely be giving them a proper listen.

It was nearly time for A Day To Remember. As classic 2000’s emo tunes played on a speaker to the enthusiastic crowd, I got a drink with some new friends. Although I turned up on my own, I definitely didn’t feel alone. Everyone I chatted to was super friendly, especially the group of girls who bought hand held fans with them and were taking one for the team by fanning the people around them. I, for one, was super grateful to be standing next to them – note taken for my next summer gig.  

As the long awaited dimming of the lights darkened the room and the music stopped, the crowd roared and the band graced the stage one by one. Being a couple rows from the front and a few drinks deep, I was full of excitement. They opened with arguably one of their best songs, ‘The Downfall Of Us All’. When you hear that opening “da da da da da da, da da da da da. LET’S GO” you know it’s going to kick off, and boy did it kick off! At that point I knew we were in for a great night.  

I was really impressed with the mixture of old and new songs. Going back as far as 2009 with their album ‘Homesick’ to their newest album ‘Big Ole Album Vol.1’ (great name)  which was released earlier on this year. We really got a full taste of their discography over the last 2 decades. This gig had everything, from metalcore, to pop punk, to acoustic and even covers. Specifically, their cover of ‘Since U Been Gone’ by popstar Kelly Clarkson. Having seen this cover performed at Slamdunk last month, I knew it was inevitable they played it at their Brixton shows. As branded bouncy balls were thrown into the crowd, I made my way from the right side of the stage into the middle to experience the full energy of the crowd. If I thought I was sweaty before, I was very very wrong. I didn’t even KNOW sweat until I made my way to pit. I looked to my left and a bald man’s head was covered in the multi-coloured confetti that fell to the crowd and stuck to sweaty gig-goers like glue. A topless guy crowd surfed above me and it was like touching a baby seal. Sweat beads were visible on everyone, but no one was complaining and we were all just in the moment. And to be honest, I bloody loved it. I’m not as rowdy as I used to be in my teens, so sometimes the idea of a lively mosh pit scares me, but here I felt safe and I knew I would be picked right back up if I fell. I think this had something to do with the variety in ages of the attendees at this gig. This band started out in 2005 and throughout the years have brought in new fans from new generations. There were older people and younger people, but I felt that in terms of moshing this crowd was more mature and had better moshing etiquette than perhaps a new band with very young listeners. It was so nice to see people of all ages coming together to celebrate one band.

Towards the end of the show, Vocalist Jeremy got the acoustic guitar out, and we all knew what that meant. It means their 2009 acoustic song ‘If It Means A Lot To You’. Camera torches lit the room up as the crowd, including myself, belted out the lyrics. I looked behind me and saw the happiness on peoples faces as they embraced their loved ones and paused the energy to belt out this song that ironically, means a lot to many people! It was such a special moment that I captured on video, and in all honesty, nearly brought a tear to my eye. I knew at this point, this was the best last minute decision ever. 

The night came to an end and the band’s last song was ‘All Signs Point To Lauderdale’. Instead of leaving slightly early to avoid queues to the station, I knew I had to stay until the end. T shirt cannons were let loose, and confetti and streamers fell upon the crowd. I said goodbye to my new friends, and left with my heart full. I’m SO glad that I decided to be spontaneous on this random Tuesday and had one of the best nights of the year. For anyone reading this that struggles to find people to go to gigs with, this is your sign to do it solo! So what can we expect from A Day To Remember next? Perhaps a ‘Big Ole Album Vol.2”? We will just have to wait and see, but I for one will be keeping my eyes peeled.