Reamonn - Saturday 27th February 2010 - The Borderline, London

German band Reamonn have been building up some real support here in the UK. Having played a few shows at Monto Water Rats last year (and at early stage times too), followed by a support slot for A-ha at Itunes, and now a national tour this year culminating in this last sold out show at The Borderline in London.

Entertainment Focus have been following them keenly and hoping the band will get some success here as they have done in Germany.

Arriving a tad late at 7.45pm, we found The Borderline packed to the rafters already and people were queueing up into the stairs as the night progressed.

Opening act Robinson played some nice bittersweet folk ditties to warm the crowd up and his funny anecdotes certainly got everyone in a good clapping mood.

It wasn't long before Reamonn came on. Although a bigger venue than Water Rats, it still wasn't almost big enough to fit all the welcoming fans here. Gomezz was the first to get onstage donning his trademark headphones followed by Uwe, Sebi and Phil and then Rea Garvey stepped onstage to a well received reception as the band launched into Faith with that huge and grand keyboard opening. There was barely any room to move by this stage. Garvey, master of many rock poses was giving it his all. Stripping off his jacket, he revealed some new tattoos in the form of three bands on his left arm and they were all clearly chuffed to be here Guitarist Uwe was certainly flashing a few smiles at everyone. Ballad Through The Eyes Of A Child got the crowd into a great arm waving and singing frenzy.

Rea addressed the crowd for the next song Aeroplane by explaining its history stating that i wasn't a song meant to insult anyone (I love you like an aeroplane...ie I love you like a large inanimate object). Rather the sentiments he was trying to echo were about missing family and seeing this big aeroplane ready to take them home to their families which drew a round of collective aaahs from the crowd and some tongue in cheek disbelief from Garvey before he launched into the song. With its poppy piano opening, the song certainly kept the happy feel good atmosphere in the venue. The crowd certainly felt like a very easy going crowd, certainly one that wasn't pushy and everyone was moving around to the band's "sweet melody".

Credit has to be given to Garvey for his easy down to earth manner addressing the crowd. Continuing on with more funny anecdotes about injuring his neck during a gig prior to Broken Stone which got a few more laughs, and pointing out some familiar faces in the crowd from his Facebook profile (a mother and daughter he recognised), he was clearly grateful for the support.

The band powered through a setlist that included, Tonight, Like A Bird, the amazing Million Miles, Moments Like These and finished the set with It's Over where he introduced each member of the band and himself and asked the crowd to lift the roof off, though this crowd seemed a bit more timid for that.

The encore was of course their big hit Supergirl, with Sebi providing a big sax solo that had arms waving and people jumping all over the place before the finale of Alright, one track that really stands out and has sections of the crowd singing along.

Tonight, the band performed pretty well and a wide selection of material with perhaps opening single Open Skies from the new album only missing. Garvey entertained and charmed the crowd throughout and gave a brilliant performance. The crowd, although quite buoyant and jubilant never seemed to threaten to take the roof off though. It seemed more like a chilled out crowd with everyone enjoying the gig without going too crazy. I daresay there were a few guys dragged along by their girlfriends and certainly a good mixed age group of people. Let's hope the band return to fill out some bigger venues and build on the success they have reached here thus far.

Setlist

1. Faith
2. Set Of Keys
3. Through The Eyes Of A Child
4. Aeroplane
5. Star
6. Broken Stone
7. Tonight
8. Like A Bird
9. Million Miles
10. Moments Like This
11. Serpentine
12. It's Over

Encore

13. Supergirl
14. Alright