GIG REVIEW: Daughtry
- Posted on November 28, 2007 5:30 PM
- 15 comments
Daughtry
Scala, London
27th November 2007
Review by Katie Spain
When I met Chris Daughtry in a London studio last month, I was struck by his resemblance to Live’s Ed Kowalczyk and Tool’s Maynard James Keenan. Turns out he has the voice to match. In the half-hour I spent interviewing him and bass player Brian Craddock we talked about Batman, bald heads and Bon Jovi. Last night at their sold out Scala gig however, the guys talked only one language; good old fashioned Rock.
Since our first meeting, it’s all been happening in Daughtry world and last night, the London crowd were pulled in for the ride. Walking must be hard for this lot right now - what, with pockets full of American Music Awards (three in the last innings) and a UK album release on the way, there's a big load to carry. Hang on... is that a hint of cockiness I notice? Nope, it must have been an optical illusion - this is a group with as much natural charisma and genuine respect for the fans it's almost sickening. Pass me a towel... I'm about to start gushing.
Like their previous London gig at the Borderline, last night's show sold out in minutes. Word has spread about the tattooed apple of America's eye. It's no wonder really - the frontman reached the final of 'American Idol' before losing out ahead of the finishing line. Fate? Maybe... chat to Chris, and you see that he was keen to bypass the Idol days, straight into the unit that is 'Daughtry'; A tight, awe-inspiring unit that'll blow your socks off. Spare them the clichés though journos - Idol was but a mere flash in the pan when this lot are concerned. The proof is in the American puddin' and last night London witnessed the most exciting live experience I've seen in a long time.
UK band Mexicolas warmed the already steaming audience up with as much fervour as can be expected from a support band. It's a good thing they worked up a thirst - we had to wait nearly an hour between bands. All the better to milk the bar dry with my dears. I opted for a booze free night (which is why the annoying guys in front of me got on my nerves so much). Here's a quick hint to all gig goers - if you're going to spend the whole night hollering to your mate about your latest 'conquest' go do it in the men's loos. You can get the full effect of the sound of your own foghorn in there.
Obnoxious, self obsessed cretins aside, Daughtry powered through a set to remember. It soon became obvious that a smelly armpit vantage point would just not do - so in true 'small person' spirit I flicked off my boots and slotted myself neatly in a level one alcove. From there, I had the full impact of a well toned band rocking their hearts out for the ultimate live experience. You know what, that's what makes these guys special. Their success can not merely be attributed to Chris and his amazing vocal range, a drummer with a sweaty bravado, guitar masters nor the size of the Marshalls behind them. Nope, on stage chemistry is where Daughtry hit gold.
They play hard, riff harder and all the while tiptoe the line between 'not top heavy, not too light, just right'. They're certainly not metal (as my somewhat disillusioned companion suggested) but they do make Bon Jovi look like a lovesick puppy. Not that you can mess with the best - we all need a bit of lovin'. Yep, last night, Daughtry had it all. The set was long and packed with tunes from their debut album 'Daughtry'. The crowd sang along to every word of 'Over you', 'Crashed', It's Not Over', 'What I Want' and of course 'Home'. We got acoustic, frantic thrashing and a finale that exposed where the band seem to feel most comfortable. Loud.
American Rock is well overdue a band to bridge the mainstream and the hard cores. Where Pearl Jam, Live, Feul and Tool left off, this band is there to extend their outstretched hand and pull the manufactured Pop lovers out of their brainwashed stupor. After playing small pubs and dingy stages, these guys obviously appreciate every second on stage.
Last night was an intimate insight into a sure fire success. The Americans love them and the Brits are sure to follow suit. Fans were embraced by their idol and sweaty mementos rained down on adoration soaked faces. This is a band that will suit big arenas as well as the small; we were lucky to witness the latter.
Call me a sucker for the good old ear pleasers but I enjoyed every second of this concert. As a night owl with a daily gig diary, that's an order that isn't often served up on a plate. Sure, you won't all love Daughtry, but if Rock in it's melodic, gut wrenching form was a part of your youth, turn off your worn out albums and give a new band a try. Try them live and Who knows, you might just bump into Ed Kowalczyk in the front row.
Daughtry's new single - ‘Home’ – 7th January 2008
www.daughtryofficial.com
Get listings and tickets for Daughtry's gigs here.
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Comments (15)
Kathy
What a great reveiw!!! Thanks for showing our boys some brit love over there!!!!!!!!!! They are THE BEST BAND EVER!
Posted on November 28, 2007 7:47 PM
Audrey
Awesome review! You get it, you really get it! Daughtry live is an experience one must have!
They have pulled America out of the bainless pop bull and now has us ROCKIN!
Welcome to OCD Brits!
Posted on November 28, 2007 7:58 PM
Treena
Fabulous review! This was my 5th time seeing the band perform live and I have to say they just get better every time...last night was phenomenal.....Chris sounded fantastic...the best vocals I have heard live....his voice just sends chills through me.
The only thing with Daughtry is......the more you see them....the more you are left wanting more....More Uk gigs please...if not I guess another flight to the USA is called for!!!
Thank you so much for such an awesome review!
Posted on November 28, 2007 9:33 PM
Keline
Wow, I haven't seen Daughtry live (yet!) but it makes me want to even more! Thanks for this review!
Posted on November 28, 2007 9:53 PM
Dottie
Awesome review for an awesome band. Looking forward to seeing them for the 3rd time. DAUGHTRY ROCKS!
Posted on November 29, 2007 1:27 AM
Adam Walker
I was also at this gig the same night the reviewer was.
I agree that his voice is amazing, and it must be heard live. In fact, i've not heard such a powerful yet soulful rock voice like that before - except perhaps obvious comparisons to Bon Jovi.
The only problem i had with the gig, and thus the band, were their mis-matched and confused sound. It's like they've not found their own niche yet. There was MOR rock (a la Jovi), acoustic strumming (a la everyone in the charts at the minute) and at the end, crazy, metal-esque noize (a la Slipknott).
"Home" stood out like a sore thumb; a great, pop-rock perfect, radio-friendly anthem. I'm doubtful their self-titled album shall spawn anymore hits.
That said, once they find their own sound, they'll be in a league of their own. But for now, with a kins to too many other bands, i felt they fell short of the true "X" Factor.
Posted on November 29, 2007 10:42 AM
squishy
This is by far the BEST written review I have ever read. It was funny, well-written, and entertaining. Simply BRILLIANT!
You get "IT"! I have seen Daughtry in concert 5 times and each time is better than the last.
I think that Chris has one of the BEST rock voices out on radio today. Also, the band is starting to mesh together so well.
I also agree that this band can play in front of a small crowd or in an arena and be just as brilliant. They are nicely walking the line between Pop and Rock that is needed today.
Thank you for this AMAZING review. Daughtry fans every where throughout the world are buzzing about this review.
Posted on November 29, 2007 1:25 PM
DocHutch
There is something about the man and the band that no one has had for years! Their music is clean, he is HOT and a good man, they appreciate their fans, plus what great music!! He and the band have brought excitement, talent, genuineness, and values back to entertainment. And you get it!! Thank you.
Posted on November 30, 2007 1:15 AM
Jenni
What an amazing review!!! This was my 2nd DAUGHTRY concert and it just blew me away..... Chris' voice was phenomenol and the band was so good together. The energy level was AMAZING! You can feel it in the audience.... LOVED IT. thanks for the review.
Posted on November 30, 2007 8:42 AM
Mazza
A fantastic review of a fantastic band. I was at the gig and wow Daughtry blew me away - what an awesome night and this sums it up so well. Chris has the best voice ever - love ya guys
Posted on December 1, 2007 1:55 PM
MBT Fan
Those d***head blokes who were having a “conversation” at the top of their voices were right in front of me, we must have been in the same alcove! Instead of banning smoking, venues should ban people like that.
Despite them, it was a great show and your review summed it up perfectly!
Posted on December 3, 2007 11:00 PM
Mexicolas
Great lads too !
We really enjoyed ourselves supporting Daughtry at The Scala and was great to hang out with them before and after the gig too.
Posted on December 5, 2007 2:57 PM
Kaz
WOW! Great review and would like to agree with everything that was written.
The gig was awesome, don't know how these guys do it, but they get better and better! Lets hope they get more promotion over here than they have been getting and the next single is a UK hit!! They ROCKED!!! x
Posted on December 5, 2007 8:36 PM
peter williams
so so so disappointed with the gig in london they sounded drained they need some time off from touring as they need to take a rest and come back to the uk when you sound half as good as the cd live
Posted on December 10, 2007 11:30 PM
kayleigh
More UK Gigs!!!!!!!!!! Scala Rocked this country! You guys Rocked London! come bacckkkkk xx
Posted on February 7, 2008 2:30 AM
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