Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Some people kick off their weekend by taking off their work shoes slumping infront of the television for the night and only moving again when the television reception goes wonky. Others will be more adventurous and make their way into town and watch television on a big screen as Wimbledon reaches its climax. For some though the chance to take in some music, to find an oasis in a desert, is too compelling an opportunity to mess with and as Skarlett Riot entered the fray at the O2 Academy to a crowd that was already in love with them after catching the foursome finish their warm-up, there may as well have been a big sign stamped on the wall saying, your weekend starts here, rock your heart out and enjoy!
The mood was set, the confidence that emanated from the band but from the vocalist Skarlett especially, was high and the music was not just in keeping with what would come from the stage all night but was mind-blowing. It may have been a short set, half a dozen songs all in, however by the time the four finished playing songs such as the excellent Faded Memory, Broken Wings, Villain, What We’ve Become and Rock ‘N’ Roll Queen, the audience are already transfixed and chattering wildly about this sensational group.
Whilst the music is the real star, Skarlett, the lead figure of the band is a real knockout, a find that is reminiscent of the great Rachel Cohen from The Reasoning, a woman with absolute belief, exuding confidence in herself and those around her but also a woman with biggest pair of balls around. The music that the two bands may be different but the women at the heart of it all, the maelstrom in the hurricane, is so similar, so incredible that judging the looks on all engaged in watching the band, there were a lot of people falling in love with her.
In a night that would see the walls of the Academy sweat and perspire as the building shook with the sound of three incredible rock bands, to kick start it off with Skarlett Riot was as near to music Heaven as you can get and certainly the music equivalent of the well planned riot.
Ian D. Hall