Live Review: Blossoms - O2 Brixton Academy, London 03/12/2022
Blossoms pull out all the stops in a high-energy night of music and surprises at Brixton’s O2 Academy.
After a stellar, grungy opener from Mancunian band Chappaqua Wrestling, Blossoms took the stage at the Brixton O2 on Saturday night to rapturous effect. The Mercury Prize nominated indie-pop five-piece were on top form, delivering what may be their most memorable gig in recent history.
Leadman Tom Ogden, in a characteristically enigmatic ensemble of black flares and a cape–later whisked off mid-track for dramatic effect–imbued the venue with dynamic energy. And he was helped not only by his bandmates but by a series of surprise musical guests. Sporty Spice herself, Mel C, stopped by to lead Brixton in a rendition of 'Spice Up Your Life'. Rick Astley dropped in for a couple of audience favourite The Smiths tracks, and Miles Kane donned a cosy multicoloured sweater to play electric guitar on 'Charlemagne'.
The band proved they know how to put on a show, with tracks ‘Honey Sweet’, ‘The Keeper’ and ‘Getaway’ transforming the stage with changing colour and light displays. Other theatrics included drummer Joe Donovan shining in a solo during ‘I Can’t Stand It’, Myles Kellock similarly taking centre stage midway through ‘Care For’, and Ogden energising the crowd with a lively refrain of “It is!” after the hook on ‘If You Think This Is Real Life’.
They even found time during the set to debut a new track–the groovy, riff-filled ‘Big Word’. It was followed by a mellow shift in tone, with the acoustic guitar number ‘My Favourite Room’, which naturally led into an audience-participatory cover of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’. (“It is now Christmas!” Ogden declared.)
Despite more lowkey moments, the crowd’s energy kept rising throughout the night. The (perhaps ironic) euphoria in the room during Rick Astley’s performance of ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ was matched only by guitarist Josh Dewhurst standing back-to-back with Miles Kane for the instrumental climax of ‘Charlemagne’.
It was a gig that ticked every box–a Spice Girl, a rickroll, Miles Kane, a flared jumpsuit and Blossoms blending old hits and newer tracks to create one hell of a show. If you’re looking for a high-octane, sing-yourself-hoarse evening that feels a bit like a fever dream, be sure to grab tickets to one of the band’s remaining UK shows this year. You won’t regret it!
Words by Eleanor Burleigh
Images provided by Murray Chalmers PR - credit: Jas Kisbee
