LIVE REVIEW: Arm’s Length @ O2 Academy 2, Birmingham

Since releasing their rousing sophomore album There’s A Whole World Out There, ARM’S LENGTH influence has reached from their hometown of Ontario, Canada, to all corners of the emo world. Tonight, they grace Birmingham’s O2 Academy 2 with an appearance on their first headline UK tour, bringing with them some rising stars in the post-hardcore scene.

SHORELINE is the first up, a German post-hardcore outfit with riffs and hooks in spades. Being the first band on a four-band bill might seem like a thankless task, but the rockers deliver their set with the passion of a headliner. Their anthemic brand of hooky punk easily wins over some new fans, thanks in no small part to the stage presence of frontman Hansel Seung. Seoul is the highlight of the set, a powerful anthem about race and isolation.

Rating: 7/10

Next is a band that UK emo fans have been waiting a long time to see: BEN QUAD. The ARM’S LENGTH labelmates have all the modern emo staples: soaring choruses, introspective lyrics, noodly guitars and a knowing wit. What’s special is how well the Oklahoma quartet bring these elements together, kicking out a tight set with hits from their two albums, as well as some favourites from various EPs. Edgar Viveros’ shimmering guitar licks steal the show – one only wishes they were more audible in the mix when the band is playing at full tilt. Another minor gripe is the frequent pauses for re-tuning, which the band playfully cover up with banter and tracks from the Super Mario 64 soundtrack. None of these teething problems can ruin a stellar set from one of the most promising bands in the scene. Here’s hoping for a headline tour soon.

Rating: 8/10

Leaning more on the hardcore side of the post-hardcore divide, KOYO are the least obvious choice of tonight’s three headliners, bringing a considerably more aggressive energy to proceedings. KOYO adorn themselves with the stylings of a hardcore outfit, but stick with an accessible sound that mixes crushing riffs with sing-along choruses. Think of For Those Who Have Heart-era A DAY TO REMEMBER, with a more streamlined sound. Some sound issues hamper the set, but it doesn’t stop the New York bruisers from getting the crowd bouncing and inciting multiple circle pits. For some, it’s a breath of fresh air but some can’t get on board with the squad’s faster-paced fare.

Rating: 7/10

As it’s Valentine’s Day, it’s only right that ARM’S LENGTH stride out to GOO GOO DOLL’s Iris, the kind of dramatic heartache anthem that no doubt laid the groundwork for the subgenre of rock that ARM’S LENGTH have perfected. The lead single Funny Face is the perfect opener, a kind of mission statement for the band – heartstring-tugging lyrics, screeching guitars, breakneck drumming and a whole lot of spirited sing-alongs.

The band don’t neglect their earlier material, tearing straight into their best-known song Object Permanence. This sets the tone for the rest of the gig – fans are overcome with pure euphoria, launching themselves at the barrier for a chance to scream along to poetic passages like “I am your baby bird / catching every other word / you breathe life into a body / washed ashore / and call it love”. Oddly, the triumphant closer to their first album, Dirge, is placed in the middle of the set. Thankfully, the power of this progressive masterpiece isn’t diminished by its placement, and it’s hard to keep a dry eye as the reprieve of Overture brings the song to a close.

If there’s a criticism that can be levelled at ARM’S LENGTH, it’s that there’s little room for lightness or levity in their largely self-serious and intensely emotional material. For the uninitiated, it could get exhausting, but the Canadian youngsters remedy this with some playful banter and oodles of genuine sincerity. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that these lads are genuinely stoked to be playing a headline tour for the first time across the pond, and that energy is reciprocated tenfold in their dedicated fanbase.

The banjo-led You Ominously End brings up the pace, while the tender ballad Palinopsia manages to inspire tears and crowd-surfers in equal measure. The band even dutifully halts proceedings during The World due to an incident in the crowd, before restarting the song. The band seem dedicated to giving their loyal fans the catharsis they came for without compromising on the safety and solidarity present in the room.

Tonight proves that the Canadian four-piece are masters of their niche and exit the stage with the promise of even more greatness to come.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Birmingham from Sarah Farooque here: 

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