Blue October - Super stardom is on the cards for Justin

March 24th 2018

London, Shepherds Bush o2 Empire, UK

*****

Outstanding and powerful, and should be one of the biggest bands in the World

Blue October ***** are a band that keep on going from strength to strength, and really have the whole World at their feet. I was totally blown away by them, when I saw them last time they were over at the London, Islington o2 Academy. They played two SOLD OUT!!! shows at the venue, two days in a row... with the buzz around them being electrifying. Singer Justin Furstenfeld is a Rockstar that I personally think is going to explode into super stardom in the next few years, his vocals are fantastic and he has a great image.

Justin comes to the stage with a big bunch of flowers, looking like he is in The Smiths... well did you see the promo pictures of the band outside the Salford Boys Club in Manchester earlier in the week. The Smiths are a big influence on the Blue October, but aren't they on any person with common sense that lived through the 90's... I know we all love them here at Music Trespass Magazine. One thing I notice immediatly is that the fact a lot of the members are too much in the shadows, so it is hard to see them at times. And when you get good musicians, you kind of want to be able to see them play.

But then the spot light seems to be on the bands star frontman Justin, and maybe that is the way the band like it. Because when it comes to the signing at the end of the show, Justin is the only one doing it... and as I leave the venue later on. I can see some of the band members coming out of drinking and eating establishment. For a band that is in the shadows their is quite a connection between them and Justin, and I think this is why the music is so good.

You also can not quite believe that one band has such an arsenal of songs, all being what I see in my mind a hit. Even if they are not a commercial hit, doesn't mean they are not a hit... because to me a hit song is one that get's stuck in your head and you just can't stop singing it. Not like though's one hit wonders that are just annoying, their songs you want to have in your head... their songs you want to sing and grow with you over the years.

There is a fight that breaks out tonight in the middle of the crowd, and Justin Furstenfeld is really unhappy about it. Maybe he should have changed the set when this had happened and played 'I hope you're Happy' ... can't remember what song it was though... maybe he did and played 'Hate Me'. But when an artist like Justin has such a message of love from one person to another, you don't want your audience beating each other up. I don't think these where the only two rowdy people in attendance around the venue tonight, because I was down on the floor for some of the show, and their was a hostile vibe going round the crowd. Strange when their was such a positive vibe going on onstage.

And with lyrics like in songs 'Fear, Hate Me, 'Say It' and 'Sway' you could sing these every day of your life, and still not get bored. So for the majority of the evening, it's a bit of a sing-a-long... not that you can make out any other vocals in the venue. Justin's vocals just sound perfect and are so loud, that you think he does not really need a microphone to project his voice. I would say that he has the best vocals I have ever heard live, I really mean that. Very rarely you hear a vocalist that is better in person than on the records... strangely Pop Idol's Darius was one of these vocalists... he has a very strong voice in person.

One of my favourite songs in the bands set tonight, is the new single 'I hope you're Happy' ... which is really catchy and sounds like a classic 80's track. This track is put in with all the more dark Grunge Punk and depressive songs, that are quite different to newer songs like 'Home' and 'Into the Ocean' a song that has the best opening sequence of the evening.

A twisted story told in a seductive tone by Justin, before launching off into it's beautiful melodies. The sound of the 'Dirt Room' echoes round the venue, telling you it's tale which is of a different place and time. So as they get to chanting of closing track 'Things we do at Night', you know you have seen something quite special.

If you don't know the music of Blue October I strongly advise you listen to them, because they are quite special. This is a band that will change your life, and I think have changed many people's lives over the years. So forget The Beatles... forget Nirvana, forget Led Zeppelin... Blue October are here to take their crown. This is a band that grows on you, and my God they have grown on me... and I want them to stay.

Blue October - Setlist
---------------------------------
To Be (intro)
I want It
Say It
The Chills
Should be Loved
Into the Ocean
Sway
Home
The Feel Again (Stay)
Fear
Hate Me
Dirt Room
Coal Makes Diamonds
Houston Heights
Leave it in the dressing Room (Shake it Up)
---------------------
18th floor Balcony
I Hope you're Happy
Italian Radio
Things we do at Night