There
was a rock ‘n’ roll revival as talented teenagers The Strypes played to a
packed Institute in Digbeth.
A
noticeable divide in the audience was hard to ignore – those at the age where
they would be enjoying a half term break from school the next morning, and
those who looked like their parents.
But that
is what is special about The Strypes, an appeal that crosses generations, and
for good reason. Classic rock, bluesy guitars and plenty of harmonica, but with
enough youthful energy to restore your faith in the future of live music.
Fronted
by enigmatic Ross Farrelly, who kept his dark sunglasses on for the entire set,
and with each member so technically gifted at their respective instruments,
they are instantly likeable and enviable in equal measure. It’s hard not to be
excited about a band in their position.
A top
ten album, a recent support slot with Arctic Monkeys and with famous fans such
as Sir Elton John and Noel Gallagher, the Irish teenagers have achieved more
before their 18th birthdays than most will in their life.
The
attention is deserved. Kitted out in smart suits, their music is as sharp as
their attire. A racing 90 minute set, rarely pausing for banter or breath, saw
the band play hits from their debut album Snapshot as well as covers of The
Specials, The Ramones and a particularly raucous version of The Kingsmen’s
Louie Louie.
But it
was their own songs that showed off their talents the best, each one performed
with a refined self-confidence and obligatory guitar solo or two.
And
while the 12 bar blues nature of the songs led to a similar pattern emerging, a
few of the songs did sound remarkably similar and the encore lingered a little,
the sheer musicianship was enough to carry it through.
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