[Live Review] HILLTOP HOODS (Newcastle)

Hilltop Hoods - credit Matt McIntyre 16-2

‏Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Friday October 31, 2014 :

‏Opening the night to the filling Entertainment Centre, K21 had it all. The atmosphere of the room was thick and electric, his vocals were clear, and the crowd was enthusiastic with every response. The sea of hands as the house lights flashed showed that all attention was on the stage and everyone was loving it.

An introduction featuring a live trumpet as Thundamentals took to the stage really added depth to the sound of the music. The light show was amazing and it was impossible jot to be hooked on the performance playing out before me. Every member of the crowd was heavily involved in the show, particularly as they were encouraged to participate in “Take your fist and make a Peace sign”. I really respected the notion that this was instilling into the crowd. ‏It was hard to miss the volume of the crowd, the deep bass notes that moved through us and the depth in the sound created by the trumpet made their set exciting and great.

‏The crowd was ready for the Hilltop Hoods as they began chanting their name when the lights dropped down. The drums and percussion moved around the room, the screens lit up and the figure on the screen matched the movement of the drums. The atmosphere felt electric and it became more intense as the performance progressed. The audience showed their appreciation throughout every song, and it was refreshing to see how humble they were to the crowds reaction. They also stated it was the “biggest Newie turnout in history” for them.

‏’The Hard Road’ had the audience moving and singing along, ‘Through the Dark’ had moving lyrics and it was clear that this song was a story close to their hearts. ‘Won’t Let You Down’ was a song I was waiting to hear and I had goosebumps listening to it. ‘Live and Let Go’ followed soon after, with motivational lyrics that instil strength. I really respect this band for the stories they tell. ‏Ending on ‘I’m a Ghost’, the crowd around me instantly knew the looming encore would feature the song of the moment, ‘Cosby Sweater’.

‏Through the whole set they constantly moved across the stage, jumping up on to the speakers and getting close to their audience. There wasn’t a single person who wasn’t connecting to them. Overall they put on a fantastic show with everyone in the crowd leaving, buzzing with the excitement of what they had just seen.

Reviewer: Courtney Laura
Photographer: Matt McIntyre

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