You Me at Six:

When it comes to You Me At Six, some may say that their era of generation-defining songs is behind them. But, to those people, I simply say this: come and watch them live. Because when you do, you will see a band who has developed their sound beyond the scrappy pop punk of their youth into sophisticated, but still joyous pop rock, that hasn’t lost any of its angsty heart. While ‘What’s It Like’ is driven forward by an electronic guitar riff in the chorus, it is indicative of a band confident enough in themselves to blend elements of pure pop with their classic radio rock riffs. And, of course, the old punk beginnings are still there to be enjoyed – the melody of ‘Reckless’ is pure pop punk joy, blended seamlessly into The Killers’ ‘When You Were Young’ in a nod-and-a-wink from vocalist Josh Franceschi. Rounding off the jaunt to the past with their cathartic smash-hit ‘Underdog’, You Me At Six have proven that while your past doesn’t define you as an artist forever, it is possible to grow as a band without selling out your roots. And they only found out they were playing the festival on Thursday afternoon. Kudos boys!

The only critique it is possible to find is that their half-hour slot wasn’t nearly long enough, as this is a band with many more classics that will make seeing them again in the not-too-distant future all the more rewarding!