The Amazons enthusiastically return with a 12 show run across the UK on their How Will I Know if Heaven Will Find Me? album tour. Their first headline shows since the pandemic, both crowd and band were ready for a party, and the 18 song set list certainly delivered in Southampton. Many of the songs on the new album perfect for venue-filling live performance, and the band were certainly up to the biggest stage in the city.
Songs from the archives mixed with tracks from the latest top five album over an almost two hour show. Opening with “How Will I Know?” which is also the latest album’s opening track, its a perfect euphoric rock anthem to commence proceedings. Half-way through the second song, “Ready for Something”, frontman Matt Thomson leapt off the stage, scattering the 9 photographers in the pit, and stood up on the barrier, leaning over into the crowd to many reaching hands, and mobile phones. Mid-set was an acoustic version of “Night Driving” with drummer Joe Emmett on tambourine and guitarist Chris Alderton on mandolin. Completing the four-piece from Reading, UK, is bassist Elliot Briggs.
The stage set design was a simple, huge, white curtain with a couple of window frames, symbolic of the HWIKIHWFM album cover.
The final two songs, in the encore, “Bloodrush” and “Black Magic” concluded a superb show.
The band have worked with BBC Introducing to curate the support acts, different in each venue, and Southampton had the pleasure of welcoming Coach Party to the big stage. Fronted by Jess Eastwood, the exciting indie rock quartet come from the Isle of Wight, just across the water from Southampton. Having recently played a support slot at Stade de France, this band are no strangers to a big stage. Highlights included “Feel Like a Girl”, “Everybody Hates Me”, “Sweetheart”, and their latest single “Weird Me Out”.
Photos and words by Tony Palmer (Website, Instagram, TikTok).
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