Review: Example & Fenech-Soler at Brixton Academy – 09/12/11

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from tonight’s show is how much Elliot Gleave AKA the mighty chart topping Example and his Electropop support Fenech Soler love a blinding light sequence, yes it adds to the ever-intense atmosphere. But, sometimes less is more and let’s just hope no one is epileptic.

Lighting aside, Brixton is rammed tonight in prep for Example. But everyone has to witness the electro goodness of Northampton’s Fenech-Soler, who many are surprised by. They do the job well, their frantic beats and good lyrics gets the crowd excited. Fenech-Soler have had a tough year, after vocalist Ben Duffy’s cancer battle but he’s beaten the killer and Fenech-Soler are rearing to go, with big prospects. The foursome include, ‘Lies’, ‘Golden Sun’ and ‘Demons.’ All getting a fantastic reception from the critical Brixton crowd.

‘We Came. We Saw. We Killed The Crowd’ are words repeated by Example from, ‘Hooligans’ during his pumping performance. And boy, are they true. The crowd bow to their singer/rapper hero as he destroys the room. Everyone is full of beans tonight, revelling in his orders of jumping as high as you can and getting ‘nasty’ with some mosh pits in the remarkably dark ‘Playing In The Shadows.’ Everyone here tonight are the ‘real’ Example fans, this show sold out long before the rest leapt on the chart bandwagon and brought tickets for his 02 show next year. He’s appreciates the crowd coming out tonight and fulfilling his dream of headlining this place, the London boy done good. He doesn’t forget his roots; he plays a few numbers from last years, ‘Won’t Go Quietly.’ ‘Watch The Sun Come Up’ reminds everyone of their beautiful Summers on this chilly December night, after getting everyone to scream ‘Hey Good morning.’ ‘Kickstarts’ ignites some serious sing-along’s and ‘See The Sea’ sees some serious arm waving (not expected at this gig) to the inspirational lines, ‘Freedom fighter, new horizons.’

The band star in this Example show. They bring the beats and bass, riffs and polished sequences to life. Example thanks them all, lets face it without them this show would be nothing. ‘Midnight Run’ and ‘Under The Influence’ gets the fingers up in the air, but nothing like how the flagging room responded to, ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me.’ This tune put Example on the world map and it’s pretty amazing. I’ve never seen people jump so high as they relish in the moment and rap along with their man Example. Tonight has shown why Example has the fans, dedicated or new they all believe in him and loose their woes in the music. One thing would have made it even better though, if Ed Sheeran had joined him for a bit of ‘Nandos Skank’…