American rockers from Ohio Citizen have just released their 6th studio album of their anthemic rock entitled Halcyon Blues from the Run For Cover Records label back in August, received with a huge response by fans the show tonight marked the start of their UK segment of their world tour at one of Hackney’s finest venues Earth, showcasing their latest offerings including the newly release single Good Fortune along with fan favourites
The weather outside is grey, miserable and abysmal with flash flooding and rain – a typical British winter’s day but this didn’t dampen the spirits of dedicated hardcore fans queuing outside and also of those taking shelter in some nearby pubs until the doors opened, there was a buzz about and fans were singing their favouirite Citizen songs outside queueing up who couldnt wait to get to see Citizen perform a sold out club show to over a thousand in attendees.
Citizen have some fine support bands in the ranks for their UK tour, sharing the stage with Northampton/Manchester based Thistle with their own blend of infectious Shoegaze post punk and also with fellow American rock band Modern Color the stalls are set to be fill with fans clamouring to get tickets for this long sold out show.
There was a little delay in geting in but eventually people were pilling in and the show got started, with atmospheric dark lighting throughout the night, the trio known as Thistle (Cameron Godfrey, Lewis O’Grady and Judwyn lit up the show to get things started, followed up by Modern Color and fans were really squeezing themselves up tight up front and centre. The vibe was wild and sweat was pouring off of peoples faces everywhere at this point. And then headliners Citizen took to the stage to jubliant roars, whistles and screams from the barrier and beyond and the energy from the high-octane band was relentless and the crowd didnt need much encouragement.
From the wild energy to the slower songs Citizen ploughed through their latest songs from their album playing 8 songs from Halcyon Blues along with a variety of songs from at least 3 other albums, Youth, Everybody Is Going to Heaven and Life In Your Glass World.
The crowdsurfers came through for most of the 2nd half of the set such was the intensity, with wheelpits and a crowd desperate to take the microphone stand when frontman Mat offered it to them so they could sing back – not that they needed a microphone singing with such ferrocity, and there really was no space to move around since Citizen came on stage, everyone wanted to get up front, get down and dance and enjoy a few drinks.
A delight to experience and such a hot sweaty venue at the end of the show, phenomenal action, the band move onwards to Europe to continuing their world-wide tour before taking a break for the Christmas holidays and perform in Australia in the new year.
Setlist
- Good Fortune
- I Can See You From Here
- Is It in My Brain?
- I Want to Kill You
- The Summer
- Sick and Impatient
- Halcyon Blues
- Always the Last One to Leave
- Numb Yourself
- Roam the Room
- Sleep
- How Does It Feel?
- Matador
- Either Way
- Ring of Chain
- Death Dance Approximatel
- Highs and Lows
Encore: - The Night I Drove Alone
You can see their official video for Good Fortune below.
