¡Forward Russia!

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)

¡Forward Russia! arrived at Belladrum amid a blaze of hype and rave reviews for their live shows, and by the time the four piece burst onto the Hothouse stage, the tent is fairly full, although there is still a little room at the back for the punk-funkers.

Their set is predictably manic, with "Fifteen Pt.2" and "Nine" disposed of early in the set (the latter being introduced as "their pop song"), and their lead singer throws himself around the stage, wrapping himself in the microphone wire, and screaming his way through the tracks.

Musically, the band is extremely tight, with Whiskas on guitar being particularly impressive. The bands frantic pace make for a lot of moshing and dancing amongst the crowd, and the set is relentless, powering through hits such as "Twelve", with Biffy Clyro looking on from the side of the stage.

Their one big problem is that their vocalist can grate after a while, itÂ’s all a bit too yelpy and eccentric, and although his stage presence is excellent, he doesnÂ’t need to be so animated, it does get a little tedious after a while.

The band are obviously delighted with the reaction they get from the crowd, and although they do have some rough edges, they have the potential to live up to the hype, although their set is a little too jerky at times, they are frantic and energetic enough to keep a crowd in the palm of their hands.
review by: Matthew Shaw


Latest Updates