LIVE REVIEW: Casey @ The Fleece, Bristol

The anticipation for CASEY to return to the stage is absolutely palpable tonight, as the Welsh emo outfit begin a run of UK shows after a long four years away. The last four years have given fans plenty of time to grieve for the loss of this excellent band, while many new fans have joined the congregation, no doubt finding solace in their emotionally raw lyrics.

But first gig-goers are treated to an opening set from Newport-based rockers THE NIGHTMARES. The four-piece’s gothic pop-rock tunes owe more to JOY DIVISION than RITES OF SPRING and aren’t an obvious fit for a CASEY support slot but their energy is enough to get the venue grooving. 

The tunes are largely synth-driven, which doesn’t seem to resonate with tonight’s crowd that who are likely more drawn to the heavier, guitar-led sounds of bands closer to CASEY‘s wheelhouse. Still, there is some great musicianship on display, with recent single From Above clearly winning over some new fans with its moody but infectious chorus. If they can keep penning bops of a similar calibre we can expect to see big things from the quartet.

Rating: 7/10

Taking the stage to a hero’s welcome, emotional hardcore five-piece CASEY kick straight into their latest single Great Grief, whose anthemic chorus gets the crowd bouncing. Second single Atone is next for its live debut, another soaring anthem that keeps the energy high before the band return to their pre-hiatus catalogue. Gripping a mic stand wrapped with a bouquet, frontman Tom Weaver cuts a unique silhouette, a commanding vocalist but agonisingly vulnerable and endearingly unsure. His soft clean vocals and angst-filled screams are the star of the show tonight, while his asides in between songs are achingly sincere, indicating the gratefulness the band feels to be back performing in front of such an engaged audience.

From here the band transition into tracks from their sophomore effort Where I Go When I Am Sleeping, a record that embraced softer sounds leading into gutting emotional crescendos throughout. Phosphenes ignites a huge reaction, as a pit forms for the first time this evening. & leads into Fluorescents, which tugs on the heartstrings of all in attendance with its introspective lyricism.

But the material that really hits home is from their debut LP Love Is Not Enough. Tending to be faster-paced and even more emotionally raw than the subsequent material, songs like Darling and Haze light a fire under the crowd, seeing the first of tonight’s crowd surfers make a beeline for the stage. The heavier fare also sees the band become more animated as guitarists Liam Torrence and Toby Evans soak up the audience’s energy and bassist Adam Smith throws in some leaps for good measure.

As the set reaches its conclusion, fans are treated to early hit Hell, which cuts deep thanks to Weaver’s piercing screams. But the biggest reaction of the night comes from closer Little Bird. Very much CASEY’s equivalent of LA DISPUTE’s King Park, this tortured tale of heartbreak has the audience’s voices almost drown out Weaver’s vocals as they recite the lines “our hearts lay on the bathroom floor and one was mine, but both were yours.” Stage divers and fists punch the air as the spirited set draws to a close.

There are few dry eyes left in the house as punters file out of the venue, but there are plenty of satisfied smiles. The reason? They’ve just witnessed the return of one of the UK’s finest bands.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Bristol from Ceece Photography here: 

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