Oxegen 09 - And So I Watch You From Afar

[Words: ATL Blog]

IMRO Stage, Saturday 11th July, 3:20pm

What Happened: In many respects, it's been their year. A storming album and that Mandela Hall gig, it seems only fitting that Portrush boys And So I Watch You From Afar should be effectively headlining the IMRO tent on a very wet and windy Saturday night.

The lights go down, and the next thing we hear is a barrage of feeback; ASIWYFA have arrived. "Set Guitars to Kill' bursts into life, and one is left wondering whether the excessive rain had led to our boys being electrocuted, such is the manic intensity of their movements. Leaping about with wild abandon and scant regard for personal safety, the crushing sound is epic and immense. Alternating between riffs the size of a planet and moments of haunting fragility, ASIWYFA have not come to mess around.

Over the next 30 minutes, we are taken on an emotional journey, elation flowing through our veins. ASIWYFA seem to have limitless supplies of energy and enthusiasm, and the audience reply in kind, their cheers fueling the band to even greater heights.

Then, seemingly, disaster strikes. Rory Friers guitar starts to die a slow and lingering death, spluttering to a halt. Slamming his fist against his guitar pedals, he literally tries to beat the instrument back into life. However, he is unsuccessful, the fading crackle like a lingering afterthought of what might have been.

But the drama is not over, as he places the guitar against the monitors, before theatrically spitting on it. Then he's off, climbing atop the speakers at the front of the stage. The tension is unbelievable...is this the final hurrah of a much recognised musical totem? As if in answer, he leaps from the speakers into the audience, whilst guitarist Tony Wright, bassist Johnny Adger, and drummer Chris Wee thunder on with apocalyptic fury.

They might call it equipment failure. I call it one of the most unforgettable moments in the rise of an incredible band.

Depends on who pays the repair bill, I guess.

Describe in a Tweet: ASIWYFA snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

This Is A High: The electrifying guitar interplay of 'A Little bit of Solidarity Goes a Long Way'.

This Is A Low: Rory spitting on the guitar. This kind of behaviour is neither big, nor clever, kids.

Oxegen Rating: 8.5/10