LIVE REVIEW: Lower Than Atlantis @ O2 Brixton Academy
While walking up the steps from Brixton underground station and rising up to street level, a lustrous glow shone radiantly from the heavens where before there had been overcast skies. This would be the setting for the final ever LOWER THAN ATLANTIS live show. Daily commuters went about their habitual lives, and yet a strange aura hung in the air, almost in the anticipation that something monumental was about to happen. Having announced their impending retirement in December 2018, O2 Brixton Academy would host the final night of a short, three date run and draw the curtains on what has been an illustrious, twelve-year long career. As crowds flocked towards the venue, the hum of excitement was difficult to ignore, and it was equally hard to imagine the evening being anything short of spectacular. A band that have sat in the hearts of many were about to say their final goodbye, and emotion was rife.
First to grace the stage was London born solo artist Brunswick, armed with the backing of some impressive musicianship. Self-defined as ‘Rhythm and Grunge’, he pitched a sound reminiscent of polarised greats such as WILEY or NIRVANA. Eclectic to say the least, it offered an inspiring insight into what else might be possible in music, and a world beyond run-of-the-mill guitar bands. As one fan put it, “Even if you’ve never heard these songs before, you’d still very much enjoy their set. From the first song to the last one, I could feel the emotion all over.” Very fittingly, BRUNSWICK perhaps allowed a glimpse into the future of music on an evening destined to be the end for LOWER THAN ATLANTIS, one of the genre’s greats.
Rating: 7/10
Next to offer support was Dan Lancaster. Better known for his production work on a wide range of high profile projects with bands such as BRING ME THE HORIZON, DON BROCO and even LOWER THAN ATLANTIS themselves, his recent decision to step out into the limelight saw him given the unparalleled opportunity to perform on one of the UK’s most hallowed stages. Jumping feet first into such a staggering occasion, his contemporary blend of emotive pop proved a rampant success. This was only his second London show to date, but this lack of live exposure was instantly made irrelevant as his synth-heavy craftsmanship penetrated deep into the collective consciousness of a crowd caught in anticipation of the headliner. This was never likely to be an easy feat given the weight of this particular evening, but Dan‘s multi-instrumental approach demonstrated a producer-turned-artist very much capable of going the distance alone. Throughout a professional setlist, Dan Lancaster proved himself as an equally talented vocalist and digital artist, equally proficient when wielding a guitar or a keyboard. It was a joy to finally see his ability leave the shadows and take centre stage.
Rating: 8/10
And then with a curtain drop, LOWER THAN ATLANTIS took to the stage. Amidst a deluge of cheers, screams and undoubtedly tears, they opened with Get Over It, bringing down the house in a blur of pyrotechnics and sheer adrenaline. As flames rose, so did the energy of the near 5000 strong assemblage packed into O2 Brixton Academy. Every word uttered by frontman Mike Duce was echoed and reverberated about the venue. Pouncing around the stage in an apparent quest to go out swinging, each member was inarguably at the top of their game, giving absolute emphasis to every lyric and every note.
Mike revealing that earlier in the day he had required throat injections to even be able to sing only added to the experience, and it genuinely seemed as though they would have moved heaven and earth to see through their chance to bow out. This authentic sentiment was mirrored by the dewy-eyed (and hilariously drunk) speeches Mike gave between songs, reflecting on their successful journey spent together since 2007. A success backed up by their setlist, as they rattled off a career-spanning inventory of their best songs such as Beech Like The Tree and I Would. As the riffs shook the floors and poignant lyrics shook an army of hearts, emotions continued to rise and LOWER THAN ATLANTIS somehow managed to sound stronger as each minute passed. By the time they had reached tearjerker Another Sad Song, the realisation that this was the end seemed to settle in once and for all.
As the crowd and Mike combined voices to build an atmosphere thick with passion, tears flowed both onstage and off. The rest of the set felt equally heartfelt, with the band almost playing for time in an attempt to make the most of every second remaining to them. Riff-heavy favourites Had Enough and Here We Go provided the encore, with the finale offering LOWER THAN ATLANTIS the occasion to draw twelve years to a close. As drum sticks, cymbals, picks (and courtesy of Mike even what appeared to be a guitar storage box) were gratefully handed into the crowd, a standing ovation rang loud and true. On a night on which ties were cut, unforgettable memories were also made, as LOWER THAN ATLANTIS proved exactly why they earned the right to play such prestigious stages in the first place. As they fade from the covers of magazines, they will never leave the hearts of every fan that they inspired in their time as a collective. The spirit of LOWER THAN ATLANTIS lives on.
Rating: 10/10