Why Feeder are not bigger is beyond me. This is a band who have been around for twenty years now but the Welsh rockers still have not scored that elusive number one album or single, despite an extraordinary back catalogue. In that time, however, they have built themselves an immense live reputation – a reputation there for all to see at the Portsmouth Pyramids in the latest venue of their Renegades tour.
The Pyramids, a carpeted venue big enough so you have the room to stretch your legs and small enough so you can see the band from the back, was packed to the rafters with revellers young and old – a visual testament to the appeal of Feeder’s back catalogue. Love Amongst Ruin, new project for ex-Placebo drummer, set the mood brilliantly with a loud and raucous opening, leaving the crowd more than ready with their grunge-style closer ‘Home’.Heralded by the theme tune from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Feeder took to the stage with an already approving response from the crowd, and then they were promptly blown away. Feeder’s live show is just about legendary now, and the extra power that the trio bring to their stage show gives even the slower tracks added muscle to create an awe-inspiring set.
Mixing old with new, the band played the majority of last album, 2010’s ‘Renegades’, and they stood up well to the live test. The likes of ‘Home’, ‘Sentimental’, ‘This Town’ and ‘White Lines’ all received the same pounding response as they intersect the well-known hits; a well-earned round of applause and the occasional ‘Feeder, Feeder’ chants. Title track ‘Renegades’ can now class itself as a staple of their set, while the touching ‘Down By The River’ and ‘Call Out’ are the highlights of the new material.
But what everyone has come out to see are the greatest hits, and the Newport group do not disappoint. Front man Grant Nicholas treats the crowd with frequent shout-outs to the ‘old school’ fans in Portsmouth, while his talent to write a hooking anthem with a swelling chorus is undoubted. The reception is ecstatic, as the band – powered by the flawless and dominant drumming of Karl Brazil – blitz through some of modern rock’s most catchy numbers. ‘Feeding A Moment’, ‘Pushing The Senses’, ‘Seven Days In The Sun’ and ‘Come Back Around’ are met with the same euphoric reaction as the last, while guitar-fused sing-a-long sessions come in the form of master ballad ‘Just The Way I’m Feeling’ and ‘High’.
The best reaction of the main set is of course reserved for guaranteed crowd pleaser ‘Buck Rogers’, leading to manic scenes in a now hooked audience. The band leave to a joyous ovation, but the band aren’t done yet. The encore explodes in triumphant style with ‘Yesterday Went Too Soon’, followed by intriguing new track ‘Borders’, complete with a promise of a new album soon. And there are no prizes for guessing the, the ultimate anthem ‘Just A Day’ and a fine cover of Nirvana’s ‘Breed’ ensuring the crowd go home in an elated mood.
Now a regular in Portsmouth, Feeder can count themselves as one of the city’s best loved bands and the Pyramids crowd was already calling out for a return. Who cares about the charts now anyway?
NWR
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