Billy Talent, 26 October 2009, Manchester Academy

It was only four years ago when I stumbled across one of Billy Talent’s songs. From this I become a great fan of theirs and as I walked into the Manchester Academy I noticed that they are also adored by many other people. The atmosphere immediately hit me. When more and more people came into the Academy balloons started to appear from nowhere which caught everyone’s eye and people were franticly fighting to keep the balloons airborne, which was quite amusing. Although the mood was great there was still a feeling of division; the hardcore fans stood at the front and casual listeners who had come for a good night positioned at the back.

The first support band to take to the stage was a young band called Canterbury and as soon as they started to play their first song the crowd suddenly forgot about the balloons. Canterbury did very well in catching the crowd’s attention with a depth of content and style. After their set I couldn’t help but overhear the conversations around me, one conversation that caught my ear was about the band that was coming up next, Cancer Bats, one person said “ this is going to be mental”. From the band’s entrance I didn’t doubt that person for a second. The lead singer, Liam Cormier, came out and the crowd went crazy. The insanely loud heavy metal music certainly got the crowd’s adrenaline rushing because throughout the audience mosh pits started to form.

Chants started and not long after it was time for Billy Talent to enter the stage, the excitement peaked and the new sense of respect from the crowd was overwhelming. The crowd sang to every line of every song played and front man, Benjamin Kowalewicz played the crowd well. The set list went through different transformations; at one point the sound was similar to a heavier rock and roll band and then sounded reminiscent of an old punk/emo feel. All in all the vocals of Benjamin Kowalewicz were executed to perfection. Billy Talent stormed through the set and looked as though they pleased both old and new fans with songs ranging from their three albums. The star of the night had to be the lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Ian D’sa. Although he is the only guitarist, he had no problem playing the lead and rhythm section for the band, showing great guitar skills.

The band has been going for sixteen years it doesn’t look like the lads are going to be stopping anytime soon, and from how the night went I personally don’t think they should. I left feeling very satisfied and glad I witnessed such an event. All in all it was a memorable night and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did and would consider coming to enthral the crowd of Manchester again.

http://www.billytalent.com/

Words: Sean Ahern

Photographs: Jodie Stephenson

http://www.myspace.com/photographyjas