Razorlight at the Forum

Quintessential British indie rockers Razorlight return from their hiatus to play the sold-out Forum, with old hits and new material on the bill.

As rumbles of electronic sounds announce the band’s entrance, fans are wild with excitement. The four-piece waste no time in getting into the spirit of things, playing Rip It Up from 2005 debut album Up All Night. Lead singer and guitarist Johnny Borrell’s vocals remain unchanged, and Razorlight come across as still youthful after all these years. In the Morning is another crowd-pleaser, guitarist David Ellis stamping his foot to the catchy chorus, while Keep the Right Profile – the B-side from 2005 track Somewhere Else – shows the singer and bassist Harry Deacon facing drummer David Kaplan as he plays a brief but invigorating solo. New material Brighton Pier and Midsummer Girl, both taken from latest EP Olympus Sleeping, sees the band performing on top form, though musically the songs are not at the same level as their debut.

One of the defining tracks of the 2000s and a definite highlight, Golden Touch, produces nostalgia when the audience are left to sing the chorus, hundreds of voices collectively belting their hearts out. Continuing in a similar wistful mood, the group perform I Can’t Stop This Feeling I’ve Got, backed by the surprising hard verse, displaying their versatility. The rock‘n’roll attitude of In the City captures the frenzied energy, disjointed structures backed by a great bass riff that unexpectedly echoes Rage Against the Machine. Borrell thanks the audience, following this with Before I Fall to Pieces, another hit with fans, who are clearly enjoying themselves. They take it down a notch with 1950s-style Who Needs Love, the frontman teetering on the edge of the stage, fitting the rock star form. The band complete the first half with sombre ballad Wire to Wire, from 2008’s Slipway Fires, and there is a semblance to Under the Milky Way by Australian psychedelic rock group The Church.

Borrell and co return with an even more energised dynamism, though the singer’s vocals have developed into yelling. Powerhouse track Somewhere Else sees everyone giving it their all, the Forum shaking with the rise of voices. Before performing final highlight America, Borrell curses media conglomerates from the States, along with Trump, to loud cheers.

If the response from tonight’s audience and the comments under their latest music video are anything to go by, Razorlight’s return is greatly appreciated.

Selina Begum
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Razorlight’s website here.

Watch the video for the Carry Yourself here: