Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes at Brixton Academy Online

Utilising the power of virtual reality to bridge the gap between their audience and the band, Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes succeed in bringing their heavy rock sound directly to the homes of their fans in a live-streamed concert from Brixton Academy through MelodyVR. With a setlist curated by attendees and an innovative 360-degree setup, Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes deliver a stunning performance, even outdoing their in-person experience at times.

From the outset, the band are eager to make clear their appreciation for those attending the stream; with surprising interactivity, they display live feeds from the devices of those watching on a screen above the stage. The viewer is provided with a comfortable variety of angles on the rockers, who go full throttle, regardless of the live audience’s absence. The result is remarkably unique, allowing an up-close-and-personal view of individual musicians, with Carter and company playfully noting the camera and calling on the viewers to get involved in their own homes. As far as an emulation of a live performance gets, Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes bring a masterclass.

Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes are also clearly prepared for the challenges of live streaming in the era of Covid-19, sporting consistently high audio quality and dynamic mix, and ensuring that nothing is lost. Heavy hitters such as Juggernaut and Rotten Blossom from the band’s first release play just as well as lighter tracks Lullaby and Crowbar from their newer albums. Carter’s crisp screams and intimately clean vocals soar against the rest of the instrumentation, a fuzzy wall of sound when it needs to be and a gentle bridge for building climaxes. It all works so well, you’d think they’d been performing like this for years.

The real highlight is the exclusive insight shared: most poignantly, Carter’s mother appears to tell a story regarding his anxiety when he performed in his prior band Gallows. Moments like this underline this experience as a celebration of the band, not just an opportunity to make some revenue in the meanwhile, but to have a genuine moment of connection with the fans they deeply care about. Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes have broken the ice with confidence, creating a framework for all performers in this difficult time, while still making the very most of it for their audience.

Emma-Jane Betts
Photos: Thomas Green

For further information about Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes and future events visit the band’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Juggernaut here: