Biffy Clyro – Spark Arena April 24, 2018

 

Scottish trio Biffy Clyro mixed the sensitive with the seismic as they thrilled fans at Auckland’s Spark Arena last night.

The three members of Biffy Clyro…vocalist/guitarist Simon Neil and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston (bass & drums respectively) have been playing together for over twenty years, resulting in a tight musical unit that can turn on a dime. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have twins as your rhythm section…that innate communication between them must contribute to the band’s precision.

After a set by local guitar/drum duo Skinny Hobos, who were joined by Dead Favours vocalist Jared Wrennall on one tune, Biffy Clyro took the stage with a pre-recorded choir playing just after 9pm.

The five musicians that appeared on stage…the trio is augmented by guitarist Mike Vennart and keyboard player Richard Ingram…stood perfectly still, until it was time to launch into the first song of the night, Wolves Of Winter, from their most recent album, 2016’s Ellipses.

The three Biffys were all shirtless, showing off their tattoos as they thrashed their instruments.

Some long-time fans have bemoaned the band’s more pop leanings displayed over their last two albums, but these guys proved that they can still make a big noise when they want to.

It’s an interesting blend of styles that Biffy Clyro spans, from pro rock, post rock, nu-metal, power ballads and even a touch of alt rock…a hint of Nirvana could be heard during Black Chandelier amid its shrieking guitars.

The diversity works in the band’s favour, making the 90 minute set an exciting and emotional rollercoaster ride.

The jack hammer riffs that make up That Golden Rule were followed by the sensitive Re-Arrange, with vocalist Neil at his most vulnerable.

The audience…an interesting mix of old and young…stayed with them, chanting “Mon the Biff” between songs and singing along to crowd-pleasers like Machines and Many Of Horror. They even broke into an impromptu version of “Happy Birthday” after Simon announced that it would be Ben and James’ birthdays tomorrow.

The band seemed to make everyone happy by choosing songs from all phases of their career, reaching back to their song 57 from 2000 through to plenty of tunes from Puzzle and Only Revolutions.

Both the crowd and the band had a great time feeding off each other’s energy. By the time the brutal riffage of show closer Stingin’ Belle had died away, Biffy Clyro had cemented their reputation as a first-class live act.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Michael Flynn:

Biffy Clyro set list:

1. Wolves Of Winter
2. Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies
3. 57
4. Biblical
5. Who’s Got A Match?
6. Bubbles
7. Spanish Radio
8. Black Chandelier
9. That Golden Rule
10. Re-Arrange
11. Medicine
12. Howl
13. Mountains
14. 9/15ths
15. Animal Style
16. There’s No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake
17. Many Of Horror (When We Collide)
18. Machines
19. Stingin’ Belle