LIVE REVIEW: As It Is @ Dingwalls, London
Transatlantic band AS IT IS really went out with a bang on last Friday night at Camden’s Dingwalls venue. It was the last time guitarist Ben Langford-Biss would ever be performing with them after announcing his departure in September and tickets sold out in less than ten minutes.
Emotions were all over the place and in the pit as SURVIVE SAID THE PROPHET opened up and warmed up the crowd. Surprising literally everyone, fellow pop-punk band ROAM did a surprise set (it wasn’t a surprise after Twitter speculation). Unfortunately due to issues with us getting to, and eventually inside the venue, we missed pretty much all of the supports band’s sets. We’re gutted about it in all honesty. We cannot recommend both ROAM and SURVIVE SAID THE PROPHET enough. Both bands are awesome and both would’ve likely been incredible opening acts. We’ll let you guys know when we’re done kicking ourselves over it….We did manage to catch AS IT IS though!
Walking on stage to a thunderous applause, AS IT IS immediately launched into the explosive The Great Depression before going straight into Two Tongues; Patty Walters showing his great showmanship as he interacted with the crowd and delivered powerful musical punches with barely a moment to breathe. Each song flowed beautifully into each other, with a mix of old and new jams such as Soap and Patchwork Love. Changing the line-up as an ‘experiment’ during the set, drummer Patrick Foley and Ben switched places for The Fire, The Dark. Whilst it might have been labelled awful by the band at the time, it was still a fun change of pace none the less. However, this cannot cover up the technical hiccups that riddled the set. Alistair Testo spilled beer right over the cables as they came on stage. And seven songs in, the power cut throughout the whole venue.
Another slow moment was the acoustic version of The Hurt The Hope with just Patty and a crowd. With the cable for the guitar still not working, an almost acapella rendition of a very emotionally charged song was enough to move a few fans to tears. After the power returns to the venue, Ben‘s delivery on the final songs turns from good to amazing, considering this was the last times he’d be playing them. For a brief address, Ben tried to find the words to talk to the audience. During his final words, Patty and Ronnie Ish embrace their friend and finally launch into No Way Out.
After what seemed like an eternity of clapping and applause, Ben smashed his guitar like the true rock star he is in the centre of the stage. And that was it; Ben today and gone tomorrow. He was a key element to As It Is success and it’s a shame to see him go, but also hoping to see his talents grow beyond what we’ve seen already.
Rating: 8/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from James Hall here:
