Nobody really thought the chilly Highland weather would stop the Johnston twins taking their tops off, and it doesn’t seem like anything can stop Biffy Clyro right now either.
Fresh from last year’s first headlining slot at a major music festival; topping the bill at what could turn out to be the last ever Sonisphere in the UK; Biffy were back in their homeland for what can only be described as a triumphant return; maybe even a lap of honour.
The one-two punch of mass sing-along opener ‘Mountains’ and a thundering ‘That Golden Rule’ replete with stage blasting smoke cannons allowed Rockness to witness Biffy really flexing their muscles. It’s not that the Ayrshire trio have come a long way; they’ve always been a great band, and the proto-stadium rock of ’57’ up next did a lot to make newcomers to the Biffy realise that they’ve been blowing crowds away for years; at least as much as the weather.
It’s somewhat of a homecoming for Biffy Clyro. They’ve been playing to massive crowds at Scottish festivals for years (see T in the Park, and Rockness a few years back when they were almost in that headlining spot), but after showing the rest of the country they can do it, topping their first Scottish bill must have felt extra sweet for Simon Neil and co.
Clyro’s set was as tight as expected for a band that are never less than magnificent, and with plenty of new material to choose from since recording their brand new double album, as well as the lesser-known classics and modern day anthems, it’s no surprise that everyone was thoroughly entertained. Even wheeling out the once-retired ‘Folding Stars’, Neil and the brothers Ben and James Johnson pulled out all the stops to ensure that they will be headlining many festivals in future.
The fact that the band can play single after single, including a soaring ‘Many of Horror’ that gave the impression that the band knew all along that everyone liked their version best, and still save a blistering “Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies” and truly anthemic ‘The Captain’ for the encore shows what a class act Clyro really is.
If you want to see Biffy Clyro live, fear not, because they’re on the verge of announcing a headlining tour in support of forthcoming albums The Land at the End of Our Toes and The Sand at the Core of Our Bones. Be sure to check out Ticket.com for availability of what’s sure to be an absolutely sold out trek.