Blue October - Emotion and Devotion

****1/2

A beautiful emotional experience

Blue October ****1/2 are band we have been following for quite a while at Music Trespass Magazine, so we were excited that they were finally going to play again in London. After an absence because of Covid-19 and the lockdowns in the UK and all over the World. Blue October really do have a devoted fan base, they have so many loyal fans. Most of which have travelled from all over the World to see them, like one girl I was talking to before the performance that had come all the way from Canada. And with the state of the World at the moment... is quite something, and you really have to respect that level of devotion.

We have done photo's and met the band quite a few times now, so it was so nice when singer Justin Furstenfeld came down to the photography pit at the begining of the set and grabbed my hand and gave me a hug. Justin is someone that really cares about is friends and fans, and this is shown in every songs in the bands set. And like I did with the hug, everybody feels included. Blue October are a band that really know how to work the room, and want no one in the venue to feel like they are not included in the performance and this is really magical.

The opener of the bands set 'Daylight' is dark and sets a great mood and atmosphere, helped by the dark slow intro 'The Still' that is played for a few minutes before they come onto the stage. Justin moves around the stage, in a way to make everything look so big, and his energy is electrifying. You can see that all his lyrics come from his heart, and what is going on in his life. Take this into the account, when you are listening to songs that have titles like 'The way I used to love You' and 'This is what I live For'. These are titles, these are lyrics, that are simply not fake... he means every word of them and this comes accross on the albums. And even more on the live stage, where he can project his voice out into the venue to show this. And I have to say his voice is just so powerful, I have not heard many singers that can do what he can do.

I'm saying all this about the emotional songs, well every song is emotional in some way. But I personally love some of the more up tempo numbers, like the brilliant 'Say It' where the lyrics roll off his mouth, and of course songs like 'Sway' and the catchy 'Into the Ocean' and not to mention the brilliant 80's sounding 'I hope your Happy', but strangely enough the highlight of the bands set is later on where they get emotional again on the track '18th floor Balcony'. I have to say I don't know this song as well as others, in this piece of music you see the connection between the band and the crowd at it's strongest and their is a nice light and atmosphere. So I think this is my favourite moment, out of the whole evening and a song I have had on since the show to listen to again.

The musicianship and connection between the members of Blue October is so tight, and violinist Ryan Delahoussaye just takes you into another World. Anyone that has listened to Blue October, knows and loves songs like 'Fear' and of course 'Sway' and 'Into the Ocean'. But the chart friendly 'Moving On (So Long)', sounds so different from the bands other material. This is why I think they end with it, because it wouldn't fit anywhere else in the bands set. It seems to be a very popular song, even though it doesn't sound anything else like the music the band has done before. It has elements of Chart Pop and Folk, it sounds very like Mumford & Sons sitting on some beach somewhere with a little wooden guitar (Ukulele). I think this is Blue October's moment of Hipster Folk, I have to say I don't really know what to make of it. But it does clsoe the bands set quite nicely and can understand why it was a single for them. Bringing to close a great evening in the capital, with some friends and their beautiful music.

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour

Blue October - Setlist
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The Still (Intro)
Daylight
The way I used to love You
This is what I live For
Say It
Oh My, My
Into the Ocean
Hate Me
Fear
Home
Coal makes Diamonds
I hope you're Happy
Fight for Love
Leave it in the dressing Room (Shake it Up)
Debris
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Calling You (Acoustic)
18th floor Balcony
Only lost is Found
Sway
Moving On (So long)

Check Out! the Video for 'Oh my My' (Acoustic) Below...