Music: Say Hellogoodbye to a top year

Dec 10 2007 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ARTIST: Hellogoodbye

VENUE: Leeds Met University

DATE: December 5 2007

REVIEW BY: Tom Bailey

CONSIDERING that in 2006 Hellogoodbye were a relatively obscure band and are now chart bothering geek heroes, you have to admit 2007 has been one hell of an achievement for them.

Despite not quite selling out the Met, this always had the potential to be a fun night.

Having missed openers Sherwood, as a result of unfortunate train delays, we got to the Met just in time for London quartet Go:Audio.

Their style of electronica-tainted pop punk may have appealed to some of the younger members of the audience but was far too generic and lacked any kind of innovation, coming across as diluted version of the headliners.

Their song ‘Does it Really Matter’ provided the perfect summary of a very forgettable outing.

Despite having not made nearly as much impact over here as they have back in the States, there is something wonderfully unique about Say Anything.

They delivered an almost show stealing set; drawing mainly from previous release ‘Is A Real Boy…’ including ‘Belt’, ‘Every Man Has A Molly’ and ‘Woe’ as well as new album tracks ‘Skinny Mean Man’ and ‘The Church Channel’, the latter easily proving set highlight.

With a semi-converted crowd by the time of closer ‘Alive with the Glory of Love’ this surely raises the question as to when the band will be returning for a much deserved headline tour.

As much as I’d love say that Say Anything stole the show, headliners Hellogoodbye delivered exactly what the eager crowd wanted.

Granted, their synth-based power-pop may have had me cringing all the way through the set, but was lapped up by everyone else.

Frontman Forrest Kline is a fascinating to watch, his geek chic look making for the unlikeliest of rock star.

Their set was simply a non-stop party, including tracks ‘Baby It’s Fact’, ‘Oh, it is Love’ and hit single ‘Here In Your Arms’, with the encore of old favourite ‘Touchdown Turnaround’ combined with confetti explosions, sending the crowd into hysteria.

They may border on the fine boundary between quirky charm and absolute ridiculousness but they are good harmless fun regardless.