Having missed last Thursday’s show at Manchester Academy, the start of a new week brought about 3 Doors Down, and the last night of their brief UK tour at Birmingham Academy. I had never seen them before, so didn’t know what to expect, and considering I only knew a handful of their songs, tonight really could have gone either way for me. However, any doubts I had were soon quashed, the moment that they hit the stage.
Before that though, we were treated to a 30 minute set from The Crave, which was the same as the set they played with Lifehouse last week. They sounded great tonight, and familiarity really does their songs no harm whatsoever. They could really press on after two very high profile touring slots with big American radio-rock bands, and they just need to overcome the fact that they are British. If they were American, they would already be well on their way. They will have to fight hard to make an impression on the UK scene, but they are certainly up to the task. The future looks bright for them.
Suitably warmed up, the crowd greeted the first UK showing of 3 Doors Down for some time with rapturous applause, greeting them to the stage like returning heroes, as they launched into a colossal Time Of My Life. Working across a large stage with minimal set up, 3 Doors Down merely let the quality of their music do the talking, as they hit the crowd with massive slabs of American rock music, purpose built for huge audiences, and frequent radio airplay, which they undoubtedly garner in the US with ease. Sure, bands like this always seem to get a strange reaction from UK crowds, but that is down to the fact that everyone just stands there singing classic tracks right back at the band. Tonight is no exception either, with very minimal crowd movement, but a passionate and full voiced singalong through a cracking set, showcasing a fine back catalogue. In many cases, knowing very little of a band’s material can seriously hinder the enjoyment of a headline show, but that is simply not true of tonight’s performance. 3 Doors Down sound absolutely HUGE, with some quality hooks and massive choruses, that cannot fail to win you over. They are a class act, and have some irresistible guitar riffs and some killer solos too at their disposal, all working well alongside the flawless vocals of Brad Arnold. As a package, they are truly something very special indeed.
Playing a good mix of hits from across all of their recorded studio output, as well as a handful of new tracks from the forthcoming album Time Of My Life, 3 Doors Down impress hugely over the course of 90 minutes, with some phenomenal songcraft and stage manner. They don’t need a hugely impressive set (just a drum riser and barely used video monitor) as their songs speak for themselves, and they simply let the music do the talking. It is stunning stuff to behold.
Standouts were many and often, but the likes of Away From The Sun, When You’re Young, Round & Round, Duck And Run, and The Better Life were obvious favourites (you could really list any song there, as everything was so well delivered, well received and so enjoyable) alongside the cracking encore of Kryptonite, Everytime You Go (filmed on smart phones for an upcoming video) and set closer When I’m Gone. The unquestionable highlight, above all of that, is Here Without You, one of the most heartfelt and emotional songs clearly ever written. It moves the entire of the Academy tonight, and is just one of the most stunning songs ever.
Hopefully it won’t be such a long time before they return.
Incredible stuff.
Setlist - Time Of My Life / Duck And Run / The Better Life / Away From The Sun / It's Not Me / Changes / Landing In London / When You're Young / Loser / Round & Round / Behind Those Eyes / Here Without You / Believer / It's Not My Time / Kryptonite / Everytime You Go / When I'm Gone
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