Photo: Fraser Kerr

Live Review: Neck Deep – All Distortions Are Intentional Rescheduled Tour – O2 Academy Brixton

Neck Deep have been at the forefront of the Pop Punk scene for some time now and their return to Brixton Academy was a night fans had waited patiently for. Accompanying them for this show was Happydaze, Higher Power and Wargasm (UK). The night promised to be one for the history books so we here at The Rock Fix just had to check it out. Here’s what went down.

Opening the night was happydaze, an up and coming band who label themselves as the ‘Underground Summer Sound’. The set started with some unfortunate feedback issues that seemed to stay for the first 3 songs. Nevertheless, the band were not deterred and once the issues were resolved, Happydaze started to get a feel for the crowd. Despite getting quite a mixed reception from the fans, the band kept spirits high and ended their set with an energetic performance of the track ‘Bad Taste’.

Following on from them was Higher Power and I have to admit, I think they struggled to get the crowd going. A real lack of charisma mixed with some levelling issues meant the songs just didn’t hit how they should have. The set really hit a low during the song ‘Rewire (101)’ which saw fans grow even more tired of the set on display. Certainly, a set to forget from Higher Power.

Photo: Fraser Kerr

Unsurprisingly, the phoenix that is Wargasm (UK) managed to captivate the eager crowd. Their unique blend of pop esc songs mixed with a more Post Hardcore delivery seems to be doing wonders for the diverse band and that is exactly what won the crowd over right from the off.The set was full of power and energy with songs such as ‘Pyro Pyro’ and ‘Backyard Bastards’ really going down as fan favourites. There really wasn’t a dull moment during this performance and the final song ‘Spit’ got the crowd all hyped up for Neck Deep.

The long wait had finally come to an end and Neck Deep opened proceedings with ‘Sonderland’ before swiftly entering into ‘Lowlife’. Fans had clearly been practising for this very show as nearly everyone in attendance was belting each and every word back at the band. ‘Motion Sickness’ was followed by ‘Lime St.’ and ‘Telling Stories’ before the band really kicked the energy up a gear with both ‘Kali Ma’ and ‘Citizens of Earth’. The older track certainly garnered a louder reaction however the newer tracks did not disrupt the momentum of the show, in fact, they added a bit more excitement to it.

Photo: Fraser Kerr

As the night went on, the band maintained their full-throttle approach with tracks like ‘December’ and sang along giant ‘Part Of Me’ revitalising the energy levels in the room. As the set drew closer to an end, the bangers really kicked in. ‘Smooth Seas Don’t Make Good Sailors’ and ‘Can’t Kick Up The Roots’ really brought the room to boiling point. This settled down a bit until the encore. ‘Gold Steps’ and ‘In Bloom’ blew the roof of the Academy and fans left the venue feeling satisfied.

As a whole, This show has helped cement Neck Deep’s name into the record book of Pop Punk. Their set was a non-stop hit fest with fans singing and dancing along to each song as they flew by. Not to mention just how well the main support Wargasm (UK) went down in front of quite a different crowd to what they are used to.

Photo: Fraser Kerr