There are few times in my life where I watch a gig and feel completely refreshed by what I have just seen. Tonight my faith was restored in the beautiful thing they call rock n roll. White Denim in a sweaty dark venue. Perfect. 

Support came from locals The Loud and Royal Bangs. 

The Loud have had a fair amount of press and hype through certain local ‘zines and deservedly so. This schizophrenic garage beast is unleashed to a half full Academy 2 and sets the place up for a good night. I can’t decide however whether Penningtons voice is astoundingly brilliant or very average, it records very well but maybe tonight was just an off night for him. 

Up next is Royal Bangs, a band that I’d seen the weekend previous at Leeds Festival. The contrast between those two performances was incredible; Leeds Festival playing to one row of the Alternative stage mid afternoon to a tepid reception and here to a rapidly filling O2 Academy. Their chaotic sound mixed with their stoopid time signatures is an exhilarating ride for the ears, ‘Fireball’ being a personal highlight. 

My excitement grows until White Denim take to the stage, an addition of a fourth member and extra guitarist makes an interesting change. New guitarist Austin Jenkins took like a duck to water when joining this band, having only been playing with them since last September it seems like they have been playing together for years. Jenkins and founding guitarist James Petralli exchange riff and solo for the set whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The Texan Four-piece are on fire, not even a broken bass string or the lights and sound being cut after curfew can stop them, resulting in a powerful end to their set. 

When an evening of music such as this comes through your city, make sure you’re their. Great booking from Liverpool promoter Evol, hope to see more like this one.