Review/BLOXX @ The Louisiana
By Katie Hubbard, Second Year Geography
Indie/alternative band Bloxx returned to Bristol to play The Louisiana on the first night of their largest headline tour to date.
Bloxx are one of the hardest working bands around at the moment. Over the past few years the indie/alternative band have had a relentless touring scheduling supporting various bands and indie royalty such as Pale Waves, Chess Club Records label mates Sundara Karma, Circa Waves, The Wombats and Inheaven. Tonight was the first night of their UK tour and a sell out at the Louisiana and it was evident to see that the young London band are reaping the rewards from an intense few years.
View this post on InstagramBeen in the studio all week, Fee’s looking for the closest Wetherspoons! @philsmithies
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The Louisiana was full to the rafters with barely enough room to fit everyone in, the anticipation was evident in the room and when Bloxx emerged through the crowd and got on stage (nearly all dressed in stripy t shirts) it was very apparent that everyone was going to have a good night. Opening with one of their older songs and firm fan favourite ‘Sea Blue’. From the very first note there were mosh pits forming and people dancing, highlighting both how ridiculously catchy Bloxx songs are (they really know how to write a chorus) and how good they are live. It was plain to see that the band have put in the hours touring and performing as they seemed completely at ease commanding the stage at all times. Frontwoman Ophelia Booth (Fee), (joined in the band by guitarist Taz, Bassist Paul and drummer Moz) stated at one point through the song that this is their “biggest headline show” that they have done to date, although watching them tonight you wouldn’t be able to tell.
Following on from ‘Sea Blue’ they went on to play ‘Monday’, released as part of the Headspace EP earlier this year which was as equally well received. Followed by ‘Coke’ and then into a new song that the band have never played live before – ‘Hey Jenny’. Indie inspired guitars lead into a simple but incredibly catchy chorus which was already being sung back by the crowd before the end of the song- always a good sign.
Moving on they then played indie pop banger ‘Laydown’ with which the constant moshing and dancing caused The Louisiana floor to shake. After the song Fee stated that it was the “best reaction to the song” they had ever had, quite an accolade given their relentless touring since the song was released earlier this year. They then powered through some of their most popular songs including ‘Novocain’ and ‘Second Opinion’ followed by another new song ‘Spoken word’. As the name suggests, a spoken word verse over heavy grungy guitars and stomping drumbeat being thrown in for good measure, highlighting their ever-increasing versatility as a band.
A special ‘Bristol’ edition of classic ‘Your Boyfriend’ was next; changing the lyrics to “run away to Bristol” in the first verse, which was met by lots of excited cheers. They then added in yet another new song in ‘Go out with You’ that was only released earlier today but again already had the whole crowd singing along, this led onto ‘You’ which saw guitarist Taz demonstrating the very impressive and arguably pointless skill of playing his guitar behind his head for the latter half of the song. The band then closed the night with grungier number ‘Curtains’ finishing off a triumphant start to what’s sure to be a successful tour.