Biffy Clyro

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival reviews

By Matthew Shaw | Published: Mon 14th Aug 2006

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 2006

Friday 11th to Saturday 12th August 2006
Belladrum Estate, by Beauly, Inverness-shire IV4 7BA, Scotland MAP
£60 in advance (under 12s free)

For being such a cult Scottish band, it’s hard to believe that the Hothouse stage isn’t full for the penultimate band of the night – in fact, it’s not even three quarters full. Biffy Clyro are usually a very good live band, but on the night, the band was a real disappointment.

The majority of the set fails to impress – “Wave upon Wave upon Wave upon Wave” – usually a live favourite – sounds tame in comparison to past recordings, and it’s difficult to place the blame on one single thing that made the set such a disappointment, perhaps it was Simon Neills vocals, perhaps it was the sound, or if it was just an off-day for them.

The ever-obsessive Biffy Clyro fans seemed happy with the set, jumping around and chanting “Bi-ffy” between songs, but not even the normally raucous “Glitter and Trauma” failed to provide a great deal of excitement to the show.

One highlight was “57” – probably the bands best song in their extensive back catalogue, but this was the only moment of the set that felt as if it lived up to what is now expected from the band, who got a much better reception than they probably deserved.

Simon Neill seemed delighted with the crowds reaction by the end, smashing up his guitar and throwing it to the crowd, but Biffy were a real let-down, especially as there was no “A Day Of…”, which should be infiltrating every festival set they have.

At other festivals, Biffy Clyro have brought the house down, so hopefully their set was just a temporary slip in form, otherwise they could well struggle at bigger events in the future.
review by: Matthew Shaw


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