Alexisonfire

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Reading Festival 2006

Friday 25th to Sunday 27th August 2006
Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ, England MAP
£135 for weekend (including camping), £60 any day

Daily capacity: 55,000

I have no idea what drew me in to see them, possibly the fact an ex-work colleague loved them, but when I first saw them I thought pub band. None of them looked part of a unit, there was a fat guy in a suit and hat and they seemed to be all over the place.

However first looks were misleading and once the band realised the crowd were singing their songs they took keen interest in their creations and soon became a great band to see live. By the end shirtless and sweaty they look the finished article. Lead singer Dallas sings with an undercurrent of emotion but it’s not awash with emo.

The music skills each member brings be it passion or technical fretwork make for an interesting mix which is why at first they sounded so poor until they were able to gel and gel they do, cleverly. It’s not an easy thing to master with each instrument and vocal separate but still part of the unit. They bring so many music styles together it’s hard to define and certainly not the basic pop punk of many US bands. I left impressed and determined to be able to sing along like the crowd next time I saw them.