Throughout the course of this year I have traveled coast to coast and have seen a total of 10 Catfish and the Bottlemen shows (including this concert). I’ve seen them a total of 22 times since they first began to play in the States back in 2015. I always get asked if I get tired of seeing them, but truthfully, each show is like no other. This time around I got to catch their set in Chicago at the famous Aragon Ballroom.
Opening up the show was Canadian rock band July Talk. The two leads Leah and Peter are entrancing. Their voices are polar opposites from each other while harmoniously joining as one. During Push + Pull Leah jumped into the crowd as was being held up by the fans. What makes them so intriguing is how they act out their songs. The two of them feed off of each other’s energy and consistently engage with the crowd. Peter thanked Catfish and the bottlemen for having them as openers. Peter described the boys as “a true rock and roll band.” Which was received by howls from the crowd.
As the lights faded out, the trumpets of Ain’t That A Kick began. A true Catfish and the Bottlemen fan easily knows that this only means the boys are about to take the stage. Moments later we can hear Helter Skelter blasting over the monitors. The final song before the boys walk on. As the red lights began to flicker one by one each member walked on. The screaming from adoring fans was louder than the classic Beatles’s tune. Opening with the first single off their latest release, Longshot has instantly become an anthem. The lyric “one of our longshot’s paid off” can be heard echoing through each row of fans. Then came the words “YOU’RE SIMPATICO” off of Kathleen. I’ve noticed that as the song progresses, the energy from the crowd gets wilder and wilder and Van most definitely loves it.
The setlist consisted of a mix from songs off all of their three albums. My personal favourite “Pacifier” is pacifier because the build up between the verses and the chorus is incredible. During “Business,” drummer Bob Hall delivers an excellent solo. Each time I see their set he does a new improvisation and it gets more and more elaborate. From their second album The Ride they kept the song “Outside” on their setlist. The lyrics “I just come along for the ride” is a fan favorite because it represents the dedication fans have in supporting this band. The riff played by Bondy is iconic and catchy as well. Their song “2all” is also a nod to their fans who have “stuck around.”
As the show came to a close, it was lovely to hear Van say how much he appreciates the fans. I respect them for remaining humble amongst their massive success. Closing with “Tyrants” the boys always extend the four minute song to ten. Throughout those ten minutes, the boys deliver an explosion of guitars. It is so mesmerizing. It is also a bittersweet moment because fans know that it’s the last song, but the boys always give it their all. Every word and every second was filled with members of the crowd singing right back at Van McCann. Each strum contained so much intensity it encompassed the venue. I look forward to the next time I see Catfish and The Bottlemen and only hope that it’s sooner rather than later.
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Catfish and the Bottlemen
July Talk
By: Jennifer Machuca | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!
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