Catfish And The Bottlemen A Triumphant Return – In The Park Festival – Sefton Park Liverpool, UK on 11th July 2024

 

 

WORDS AND IMAGES WARREN MILLAR

 

Catfish and the Bottlemen‘s highly anticipated comeback gig at Sefton Park in Liverpool, as part of “In The Park Festival”, was something to look forward to. After a period of absence from the live music scene, the band’s return was met with immense excitement and high expectations from their devoted fans.

Sefton Park Liverpool was the expansive, picturesque venue for tonight’s gathering. Sefton Park was officially opened in 1872. It was designed by the French landscape architect Édouard André and Liverpool architect Lewis Hornblower, following an international competition to create a grand public park. The park spans approximately 235 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in Liverpool. The park’s design includes wide boulevards, large open spaces, and a mixture of formal gardens and naturalistic landscapes. It features sweeping lawns, curved pathways, and an array of decorative elements. Well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Liverpool.

It was a damp but warm night as we made our way to the open air parkland arena already quite packed with eager live music fans.

First up on stage much to the delight of the Liverpool crowd we have local band “The Mysterines” lead on by the very talented lead singer Lia Matcalfe. No strangers to anyone who knows anything about local music “The Mysterines” have been selling out local and not so local venues for a while now. Think I personally have seen these guys live four or five times now and they just get better everytime. Lia’s vocals are delicious to listen to and the band are tight and together with some real killer base lines and beats. A great start to the night which really got the crowd in the mood.

 

 

Next up a band I haven’t seen before but have heard some great things about “Sundara Karma” are an English rock band formed in 2011 in Reading, England. The band consists of lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Oscar Pollock, lead guitarist Ally Baty, bassist Dom Cordell and drummer Haydn Evans. The band’s name is derived from Sanskrit words, meaning “Beautiful Karma”. Lead man Oscar Pollock struts and moves about the big stage owning every inch of it. These guys know how to entertain and the crowd are lapping it up. Their sound is perfect and beautifully executed with each member contributing to a most memorable set. I have to catch these guys again live soon and if you haven’t seen them live I recommend you do ! What a great set.

 

 

At last the time had come for “Catfish And The Bottlemen” This was their first live gig in three years and boy did they get a great reception from their ever loving fans as they came on stage. It was also their first show since Johnny Bond left the band leaving front man Van McCann and Benji Blakeway as the last original members.

From the moment the band took the stage, it was clear that Catfish and the Bottlemen were back with a vengeance. They opened with the electrifying “Longshot,” instantly igniting the crowd. Van McCann, the band’s charismatic frontman, commanded the stage with his dynamic presence and distinctive vocals, reminding everyone why Catfish and the Bottlemen had become such a beloved act.

The setlist was a well-crafted mix of the band’s biggest hits and newer tracks. Classics like “Kathleen,” “Cocoon,” and “7” were met with deafening cheers and heartfelt sing-alongs, creating a sense of unity and shared passion among the audience. The band’s tight performance and McCann’s engaging stage banter made it clear that they were genuinely thrilled to be back.

One of the standout moments of the night was the performance of “7,” where the crowd’s vocal participation turned the song into a communal anthem. McCann is a born entertainer his interactions with the crowd added a personal touch to the evening. He took several moments to express gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support, acknowledging the difficulties of the past few years and the joy of returning to live performances. These heartfelt moments created a deeper connection between the band and their audience, making the concert feel like a true celebration of music and togetherness.

 

 

Catfish and the Bottlemen’s comeback gig at Sefton Park was a triumphant return that exceeded all expectations. The band’s energy, musicianship, and connection with their fans were on full display, reminding everyone of the unique power of live music. For those in attendance, it was a night of unforgettable moments and pure musical joy. Catfish and the Bottlemen have made it clear that they are back and better than ever, ready to reclaim their place at the forefront of the UK’s rock scene. All in all a great night for the band and all their faithful fans who have waited a long time to see them live again. Let hope for music’s sake that this comeback gig will be the start of bigger things to come for “Catfish And The Bottlemen” ………. A superb night

Set List

1/ Longshot

2/ Kathleen

3/ Soundcheck

4/ Pacifier

5/ Twice

6/ Fallout

7/ Conversation

8/ Anything

9/ Business

10/ Sidetrack

11/ Homesick

12/ 2all

13/ Rango

14/ Outside

15/ Fluctuate

16/ 7

17/ Cocoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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