Travis at the Forum

Travis’ road to international success began in 1999 with Why Does It Always Rain on Me, their first top-ten single and probably their most identifiable song. There’s a great deal of anticipation for their Forum show, one of the four-piece’s biggest headline concerts since their 2007 tour.

After a heartfelt opening performance from American singer-songwriter Sarah Walk, the customary 30-minute break to set up the stage is intelligently used to show a film – which is pretty much a collection of the band’s videos for their new singles. And it brilliantly achieves two purposes: it entertains the crowd and it introduces them to the material they might not be familiar with.

As the screen lifts, Travis kick off their set with the melancholic album opener What Will Come. A palpable sense of nostalgia fills the venue, the crowd stand in front of a band who once rode the early post-Britpop days with genuine talent and flawless songwriting. Fran Haley’s white-bearded, busker-like look makes these memories seem as if they belong to another era – he is just four years older than Coldplay’s Chris Martin – but thankfully Andy Dunlop, Dougie Payne and Neil Primrose are reassuring with their unchanged appearance.

Playing Driftwood and Writing to Reach You back to back, they transport the audience back to the heyday of the British band scene. Shortly afterwards, soul singer Josephine Oniyama joins them on stage, delighting the Forum with her charm and retro soul vocals. Just as on the record, they duet on Idlewild.

It’s hard to pinpoint a climax in a concert where feel-good moments, fan favourites and classics feature constantly. It does feel extra special, though, when everyone sings “Sunny days / Where have you gone? / I get the strangest feeling you belong” with arms stretched out, fingers pointing to the Scottish four-piece.

They may have lost their chart appeal, but Travis are still one of the finest bands out there.

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

For further information about Travis and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Magnificent Time here: