Team Fresh with support from Bullibymon and Tied To Machines
Friday 9th November 2012 – Voodoo, Belfast
Hailing from Belfast and kicking things off at Voodoo tonight for Team Fresh and the launch of their Boss level single is punk rock quartet Bullibymon. Immense noise soon fills the venue accompanied by growling angry vocals as many punters begin to move curiously closer to the stage. Many of the now generously gathered crowd begin to mosh along approvingly to heavy drumbeats from drummer Glen that even Metallica’s Lars Ulrich would approve of. Sounding as if they are heavily influenced by Nirvana’s Bleach album, Metallica and more than a dash of Lamb of God, they create a unique sound of their very own, the boys certainly have this crowd warmed up as well as having recruited a few new fans here tonight.
The atmosphere in the tiny dark venue is now one of excitement as more punters begin to push their way to find a place as close to the front as possible while Tied To Machines take their position on stage. Suddenly a huge mass of rumbling punk noise erupts from the speakers that would see our eardrums ringing into the early hours of the morning. The band are sporting an all black attire tonight as lead singer/guitarist Ed jokes with the punters “We dress in black because we like the priesthood.” The boys jump around like hyperactive toddlers on stage letting rip with ‘Sociopath’, a favourite among tonight’s crowd as many throw their hair back and fourth in appreciation. The energetic four piece sound influenced by grunge and punk rock giants such as Pearl Jam, Jimmy Eat World using distorted guitar sounds combined with drumming reminiscent to that of Travis Barker. Telling the punters how wrecked they are now after such a frenetic performance, they end their set with ‘Balotelli’, which only serves to swell the moshpit of sweaty revellers.
Finally the headline act for tonight Team Fresh, take their hugely anticipated place on-stage A huge stampede of boozy punters push their way through creating a mammoth sized mosh pit for such a tiny venue. Rocky guitar riffs from guitarist Andy shields accompany Slaine Browne’s rap vocals create a sound almost as if the Beastie boys have collaborated with Rage Against the Machine with a delightful Belfast twang. ‘Causeway Rebel,’ a song allegedly about skinning up in the winds of the Northcoast as Slaine explains to the crowd is quickly followed by chaotic cheers and even sees one punter makes a failed attempt to crowd surf. But not to be denied Slaine encourages the crowd to squeeze closer eventually allowing the crowd surfing to commence.
‘Rhythm Tradition’ allows many of the excited punters to chant the lyrics back to the boys and ‘Barbed Wire Empire’ receives a similar reaction. Team Fresh certainly look like they are enjoying their performance as much as their fans are as they humbly thank everyone for making the gig happen. We finally get to the main reason for tonight with the guys kicking into their new single ‘Boss Level’, sending this crowd into a frenzy, moshing as if their lives depended upon it. More punters are seen crowd surfing successfully through a sea of sweat and beer; a truly brilliant encore. If you weren’t a fan of Team Fresh upon arrival you were certainly sure to leave as one tonight.
