Good to end festival on a high

May 19 2008 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ARTIST: Give It A Name Festival 2008.

VENUE: Sheffield Hallam FM Arena.

REVIEW BY: Tom Bailey.

BACK for its fourth year, the annual pop/punk/ emo festival braves the Steel City for the first time.

With the sun out and the skies blue, it couldn’t have picked a better weekend. However, it was not long after entering that it became obvious that the arena was nowhere near full. Scepticism aside, Four Year Strong got my Saturday off to a belting start with their blend of pop punk meets hardcore. Former Taking Back Sunday guitarist Fred Mascherino’s new project, The Colour Fred, followed and produced a spirited outing.

It wasn’t until more than two hours later that there was anyone on the bill tempting enough to bring me back in from the glorious sunshine. Eventually, You Me At Six and The Blackout lured me back and both impressed. Another refreshment break then set up Silverstein and Anti –Flag nicely, who sadly didn’t do as well.

On to the main business of the day – and easily the most anticipated comeback of the weekend – Glassjaw.

There’s no denying they are a wonderfully unique band, their choice not to play their more obvious material reflecting their desire to never to succumb to the mainstream. However, despite not attracting the biggest or liveliest crowd, there was no escaping frontman Daryl Palumbo’s unique vocal style. Quick to build on this momentum, Billy Talent produced the most accessible and entertaining set of the day.’. Love them or hate them they are simply good fun to watch.

With the first day near its conclusion, 30 Seconds To Mars had the task of delivering a set that not only justified their headline slot, but also silenced the many criticisms of actor turned frontman Jared Leto.

Sadly the most pretentious opening you have ever seen, Leto’s shameful avoidance of singing his lines by any means necessary, many missed cues and general bad timing all contributed to a disappointing outing. Frustratingly, that’s not to say they weren’t lapped up by the notably smaller crowd that stayed. Singles From Yesterday, Attack and mega-hit The Kill all proved entertaining, bringing the night to a satisfactory, albeit it anti-climactic, end.

On day two, Cobra Starship delivered a surprisingly good half hour outing. Next, Set Your Goals and All Time Low, both received heroes welcomes.

Then it was the second comeback of the weekend: Finch. After going on an indefinite hiatus in 2006 the reformed post-hardcore quintet had a lot to prove. While new song Daylight did enough to impress, the oldies confirmed that Finch are back and are as good, if not better, than ever.

From one outstanding comeback to a more underwhelming one in the form of Alkaline Trio. The Chicago punks failed to produce the kind of set they’ve become famed for over the 12 years. Criticisms are perhaps the consequence of the band’s usual high standards.

Not to sound too bitter but it was nice to see that recent one hit wonders Plain White T’s drew one of the smallest crowds of the weekend, although hit Hey There Delilah entertained those who stayed for it..

With the weekend nearly over, Paramore had the task of producing one last show-stealing moment. Having only emerged in 2005, the band’s progression from openers at last year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals to a sell out UK tour in January is phenomenal. But could they deliver on a headline slot? The answer is a resounding YES. Slick, confident and in control frontwoman Hayley delivered.

Last track Misery Business brought the weekend to a perfect end.