Music Review: Catfish and the Bottlemen

Catfish and the Bottlemen: the most captivating live performers I've heard. A four piece indie rock band from Wales who are currently touring following the release of their second album: 'The Ride'. On 17th November I saw them perform in Coventry where they played songs from both albums and I would wholly recommend seeing them, if just for the atmosphere.

Firstly, the impressive support act, Black Honey, were extremely energetic however, the crowd failed to reciprocate that energy which made it feel overall a little unexciting. Then, it was the turn of the main performers to begin and Van's authentic voice, mixed with the heavy drums and guitar riffs boomed out the speakers. Their simplistic lyrics are easy to follow and relate to which has perhaps made them such a big success.

Catfish and the Bottlemen have been criticised for such ordinary lyrics with reporters complaining that they are one-dimensional unlike other artists in the same music scene such as the 1975, who's every word can be inferred for different meanings; the furthest the unadventurous Catfish and the Bottlemen have travelled in 'The Ride' is 'Glasgow' and 'Heathrow'!

Putting that aside, the most transfixing track played was the last one - chosen specifically I assume. 'Tyrants' from their first album, 'The Balcony', has always been a favourite for fans and myself and it sounds much better live: I don't know if it was that chord progression at the end or the fact that the crowd sung the guitar line; it exceeded my expectations.

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