Peace, Live at the Academy 2 Birmingham review (24/5/18)

Opening act Wolfgang Harte and The Wild (6.8/10) is a return to the stage from the former singer of Swim Deep backed by his former band-mate Cav on Bass. Despite while being a tight live band with a charismatic frontman WGTW felt strangely out of time. Looking and sounding like a relic of the Myspace era with their leather jackets, waistcoats, tonnes of hairspray and sprightly indie tunes, and leaving me feeling like an extra in Skins.
Things seem to be looking up for the Limerick trio Whenyoung (6.4). Having signed to the ultra hip Yala! records and now having bagged a support for Peace, WY may yet be one of indie rock's brightest new hopes. Personally I found their set enjoyable yet not particularly engaging. Their brand of indie rock is vaguely reminiscent of Sunflower Bean. The highlight of the set was Peace crashing their stage as backing dancers for their own support band.
Headlining a packed Academy 2 off the back of their third album Peace seemed determined to remind people what made people love them so much in first place, opening the set with 'Oceans Eye', after having not played it in 5 years. From here on out it was a set jam packed with hits and fan favourites, rolling out 'Bloodshake', 'Power' and 'Money', in quick succession. As usual Harry looked the rock-star while Doug, Sam and Dom showed off their musical chops. After some slower cuts from 'Kindness..' and the obligatory epic 1998 (with extra guitar bits!) things took a bit of an odd turn. The sweaty teens at the from led a chorus of happy birthday for their friend Ed, who had the fortune to join and hug his heroes on stage. The kids also requested a bizarre improvised organ cover of Wham!'s Last Christmas.
Peace's Third album 'Kindness is the new rock n' roll' is the sound of Harry maturing as a person and songwriter. This was reflected on stage more in the slower ballads such as 'Maginficent' or 'From under liquid glass', than the swagger of 'You don't walk away from love'. Reflecting a new-found confidence Harry played a solo stripped back version of 'Float forever', before bringing the rest of Peace and funk back with fan fave 'Wraith'. In what should be impossible for a band who only formed 6 years ago, Peace have gained fans that span generations, and a set-list crammed with hits, all played in a show that seemed to last forever.

9.2