Photos + text by Alex Brown
For the first time in their career The Gaslight Anthem visited Sheffield, and they brought their History Books tour to The Octagon!
The Gaslight Anthem are a band I’ve followed since I was a young teen, finding my way around different bands and genres. They’re also a band who have stuck with me through every challenge I’ve faced in life. They appear to have an era for whatever mood you’re feeling or wherever you may be in life. The Octagon felt like a perfect venue for the band to come, Sheffield is an institute for music and I feel every band should play the city at least once in their careers and tonight was The Gaslight Anthem’s chance to leave their mark and they absolutely did.
The band opened the night with ‘Positive Charge’ off their latest album ‘History Books’ and as the fans sang it back, I instantly felt that this song will be going to down as one of their more iconic tracks.
Their setlist was jam packed with hits all across the board from the very early days with ‘1930’ and ‘Blue Jeans & White T-shirts’ (performed with the incredible Emily Wolfe) from ‘Sink or Swim’ and ’Señor and the Queen’ all the way to newer releases such as ‘Helter Skelter’ off their ‘Get Hurt’ album and the more recent ‘The Weatherman’ and ‘Michigan, 1975’ off ‘History Books’.
My highlight of the night was ‘Mae’ being a part of the setlist, even though I’ve heard it almost every time I’ve seen them, this song holds such a special place in my heart and it was sang and performed so delicately by Brian and the band. Hearing the packed out room sing it back to him with just as much passion really touched me and filled me with emotion.
You’d never be able to tell the band took a hiatus back in 2015 (except to celebrate the anniversary of ’59 Sound’) the band were as strong as ever and to me, Brian was in his prime. His vocals sounded stronger than ever before and between songs he was laughing and joking with the crowd having back and forth chats with the front row.
This was the most relaxing rock and roll show I’ve attended, even with the crowd being completely immersed in the show you could feel the unity between all the fans, no shoving about, no crushing, just dancing, singing and loving every possible moment. Brian really is a vocalist that can lock you in with his powerful vocals.
As the show came to and end on their biggest hits ’59 Sound’ and ’45’ you could hear in the crowd just how much this night meant to everybody. The Gaslight Anthem don’t feel like just ‘another band’ they’re very special to their fan base and everyone has their own personal stories and connections to their songs. I feel honoured to have been a part of their first Sheffield crowd.
If you get the chance to see them this tour or at any of the upcoming festival appearances they have I highly recommend it. The Gaslight Anthem are back and stronger than ever.
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