Riot Squad News

The Academy, Dublin - 17 December, 2011

The queue started forming early in the day. People had come from all over the country and were determined to stick the cold to be the first into the venue. The doors opened at 5pm leading to the excitement to surge through the queue as people shuffled in out of the cold.

Inside the venue people were over excited and couldn’t stop jumping around. The realisation that they were there to see The Blackout had kicked in and now being out of the cold, they could go crazy!

The first band, an Irish band by the name of ‘Jody Has a Hitlist’, took to the stage with the delight of the fans. The band has previously played this venue and had even recorded one of their music videos there. They received a great reaction from the crowd as they bopped up and down and sang along. The next support band was a Welsh band called Revoker. They blasted onto the stage with energy and managed to keep up the same energy throughout their entire set.

Finally it was time for the main event. Chants of ‘we are the dynamite’ filled the room before everyone went quiet.

The lights went down and the band took to the stage. The roars from the crowd were defining as the first song began to play. The Blackout played all the usual crowd pleasers which had fans singing along and having fun. When ‘Save Our Selves’ was played it only took one hand movement for Sean Smith to have everybody kneel on the floor, the sign of a true front man and leader. The Blackout played a storm of a show and kept the crowd laughing with witty one liners and even a rendition of ‘My Lovely Horse’. By the end of the show people were buzzing and anybody who wasn’t a fan when they got there certainly left being a fan.

The respect and gratitude The Blackout have for their fans is amazing, they make everyone feel special. They had no problem after the show sticking around to take photos with fans and I think it’s bands like The Blackout that give young people hope.

Words and Images: Karla Shevlin

Gavin Butler Acoustic - Leeds Cockpit - December 20th

The Blackout are a band that one listen’s to at eleven. The band is one who is turned up to the max, whilst jumping up and down.

However, in The Cockpit on December 20th, there is a very special showcase. Gavin Butler is here supporting Dopamine and his solo efforts, which are a far cry from The Blackout’s style.

Armed with only a microphone and guitar, as well as his charm, Gavin sings some of his solo songs.

You may have heard GB’s solo songs on you tube, if not have a Google, and listen to the soulful, moving lyrics.

Strange words to describe the high fly kicking, mans man vocalist from The Blackout? I know that’s what you’re thinking, but have a listen and you will hear a different style Gav has.

The intimate crowd are packed into the loft above Leeds Cockpit, huddled around the small stage set up to watch Mr Butler.

As he walks into view, it’s easier to see he is out of his comfort zone, without the 5 other lads who usually stand around him, but he soon gets into the swing of things, strumming his freshly bought acoustic guitar.

His solo hits consist of soft, melodic songs, with tales of love, tangled with the chords, and as the set of 5 songs continue, he eases into the slower paced atmosphere and the crowd sway along with him.

Gavin’s songs have titles such as Into The Sea; a song of heart ache and filled with deep emotions. As the set ends with Dirty Little Lies, this is a tune entwined with metaphors referring to love.

Gav’s set consists of a slowed down version of his usual lyrical prowess and a sing a long (from me at least!).

An awesome set, of which I hope to see more of in 2012 and one’s which will be recorded for more people to hear.

Words and Photo by Sam Panasuik.

Birmingham 02 Academy Review

The Blackout are the Best Live band in Britain, as awarded by Kerrang! Magazine, for their cover feature in October. A brilliant, yet worthy titled and tonight they show the city of Birmingham why.

From the start The Blackout have the crowd jumping and swaying in time with them, which is a brilliant scene to see.

The first band is Page 44, who are competition winners for RedBull Bedroom Jam. They were voted to be the support, but have lived up to the hype and are an excellent start to the evening.

Next up are Canterbury, although a different sounding band with their self proclaimed “sweet rock” they get the crowd dancing and singing along with their catchy chorus’. TBO members can even be spotted around the academy foot tapping along!

The next support band to fly onto the stage, are We Are The Ocean, with
more sing along anthems and hip shaking melodies that get the crowd pumped. It’s actually surprising that WATO are still supporting bands, these guys should definitely be out on their own tour in 2012!

Now is the main event, The Blackout. With high flying energy and acrobatic stage antics, the Welsh 6 piece is ready to rock the Birmingham crowd.

Flying through hits like It’s High Tide Baby and recent song Ambition Is Critical, its great to see the guys smiling and the audience loving ever second of their well performed rock show.

Banter between singers Gavin and Sean is hilarious, and the sound is pitch perfect, so it’s clear to see this is one of the best shows The Blackout have played. And As the circle pits grow, so do the crowds love for the band.

After a huge crowd rap along (yeah rap!) to hit single Higher And Higher, in the middle of the song, the band end their magnificent set and leave the
stage with uproars and screams from the near packed Academy.

Birmingham Academy witnessed and excellent performances from the band that live up to their Best live band in Britain title.

- Words by Sam Panasuik, Photos by Aimee Partis

Merthyr Rock Review - Part 1

Sam Panisuik has written a review of the acoustic The Blackout did for BBC Radio Wales which took place on the 3rd of September.

”The Blackout were in their element this weekend, being in their home town and relishing in the glory of the success, that was to be upon them.

On the Sat night, before they took to the main stage to head line the Merthyr Rock festival, they did an acoustic set for BBC Radio Wales.

The set was only short, but had the intimate crowd singing along to the Woo’s in Higher And Higher, and swaying to the guitar strums in Ambition Is Critical.

This short teaser was sure to show the great things which were to come the following day.

The Blackout also announced an exclusive to the small crowd, that they would be playing a show on December 30^th, as a sort of New Years Eve celebration. The show will sure to be a celebration of sextet’s successful year of 2011, and end this amazing year on a high.

Showing that the Welsh wonders are men of many talents, The Blackout rocked the Cyfartha Park, gently on Saturday, which eased the crowd into the full assault which hit on Sunday night.

A brilliant impromptu gig, which showed the different levels of rock The Blackout can showcase.”

- Review by Sam Panasuik