Razorlight delight in Thetford Forest

If we flash back to the year 2007, Razorlight had just released their self-titled second album. They were one of the biggest bands in the UK, and were playing headline sets at the likes of the Reading and Leeds Festivals. They were playing to packed arenas and their album was topping the charts. To put it short, Johnny Borrell, Andy Burrows, Bjorn Agren and Carl Dalemo were on top of the indie rock world.

Since then, things haven't been plain sailing. In 2009, drummer Andy Burrows left the group. This was a huge loss, but given that Burrows wasn't the bands original drummer, they shrugged this off, replacing the talented sticksman with relative unknown David Sullivan Kaplan. At the same time, they had just released album number three, 'Slipway Fires'. Compared to the success of 'Up All Night' and 'Razorlight', this album fell flat, currently holding Gold Certification as opposed to the 4x Platinum status of both its predecessors.

In January 2011, Agren and Dalemo left the band during writing for album number four, leaving front man Borrell as the sole original member. Borrell, facing a choice of going solo, or continuing under the Razorlight name, choose the latter. Borrell added Freddie Stitz and Gus Robertson to the fold and set about recording the fourth album, an album that is still under construction.

When it was announced that Razorlight would be playing on my doorstep at High Lodge, Thetford Forest, I was excited. The first two albums are both amongst my all-time favourites after all. Then I saw the price, £30! £30 for Razorlight would be a bit steep, but the way ticket prices have gone, would be about right. £30 for the Johnny Borrell show however? Will it be worth it, I wondered? In the end, I stuck my copy of 'Up All Night' on, and thought yes, I'll give it a go.

Now tonight is the night, Razorlight are due onstage shortly, and I will be given my answer. Either I'm about to relive Razorlights past glory, or I'm about to be force fed the Johnny Borrell show! But before Borrell and co hit the stage, we have our support for the evening.

Opening for us tonight are a young band from London called Fractures. Playing a short but sweet set to the early comers, Fractures are very impressive. The four-piece look like a 90's grunge band but produce a sound more akin to that era's Britpop movement. Given the decent set put in tonight, this is definitely a band worth looking out for. Following Fractures was Beth Jeans Houghton and her band The Hooves of Destiny. Her alternative take on folk music shows glimpses of talent, but largely falls flat with the audience tonight.

By now the venue, located within Thetford Forest, is nearing its capacity, as we await the band we are all here to see. Anticipation builds as a large Razorlight logo is hoisted up behind the bands equipment. Then the moment arrives, the band stroll out onstage and pick up their respective instruments. Then as front man Borrell takes centre stage, they burst into 'Back To The Start'. As the band follow up with hit single 'In The Morning', you realise that you're in for a treat.

Borrell, who keeps the talking to a bare minimum tonight, then introduces a song called 'Vertical Woman'. The early pace continues with the brilliant 'Golden Touch' and 'Stumble And Fall'. Tonight clearly isn't what was feared, this isn't the Johnny Borrell show. In fact Borrell seems more reserved then in the past, as we push on with 'Keep The Right Profile', 'Vice' and 'In The City'.

Introducing the next track as a song by a songwriter they admire, the band then play a fun cover of Edwyn Collins classic 'A Girl Like You'. The set tonight, which is the first of a handful of appearances this summer, is taken mainly from 'Up All Night' and 'Razorlight'. Following 'Before I Fall To Pieces' we do get an offering from 'Slipway Fires' in the form of 'Stinger'.

The three newest members of the band do a good job tonight, not only playing back-up to Borrell, but also coming into life themselves. Of course in an ideal world, Razorlight fans would love to see the classic line-up return, but in the absence of that, we can only hope this line-up remains intact and has the opportunity to progress the legacy of Razorlight.

Older songs, 'Who Needs Love?' and 'Don't Go Back To Dalston' follow, before we get a new song. 'Good Night' is short but sweet and gives an insight into what to expect from album number four. Ending their set with the chillingly good 'Somewhere Else', they leave their fans chanting for more.

Razorlight don't disappoint, playing a four song encore, which features two new songs and shows that there is life in this band yet. 'Reveal Yourself' opens the encore and is a very impressive song, that sits nicely with their back catalogue. A back catalogue, that they dip into next for 'Rip It Up' from debut album 'Up All Night'. Another new song possibly called 'Dead Boy', precedes the obvious set closer, the beautiful 'America'.

As we leave, I feel I must praise the organisers of the event, as the layout of the arena was spot on, with a decent selection of food and drink outlets. Also the control of the car park on departure was possibly the best I've ever encountered at such an event. All in all, tonight was a great night, featuring some top music from some very talented musicians.

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