Boys Like Girls @ Fowler'sLive, Adelaide (16/07/10)

Wed 21st Jul, 2010 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

Observing the line of fifteen year old girls pouring out of Fowler’s Live Friday night, one could be forgiven for thinking that perhaps the Jonas Brothers were in town. Close, but no cigar. No, in all seriousness, while the sickeningly poppy and cheesy songs of Boys Like Girls are certainly not for everyone, the band are masters at delivering a stunning performance for their die-hard fans.

Kicking things off were local lads Mere Theory. Having been around the Adelaide circuit for years now, they’ve developed a strong following, much of which had shown up front and centre. Starting with Give It Up the band didn’t waste a second of their stage time, playing a set made up entirely of new songs, most of which will hopefully be on the band’s upcoming second album. Their enthusiasm and tight performance was a good warm-up for the even more energetic, Heroes For Hire.

The “premier pop punk” group from Sydney have obviously made their mark in Adelaide before, with hundreds singing along to songs from their most recent release, Life of the Party. Bright Lights In Paradise and The Calling were crowd favourites, but nothing got people moving like that one song everyone knows Weezer for, Teenage Dirtbag. Vocalist, Brad, kept the audience engaged, but too much chit-chat between songs slowed things down, and the set lost momentum towards the end.

Thankfully, the headliner had no problem in re-igniting the flame and got hundreds of bodies moving and singing at the top of their lungs. The band opened with the title song from their latest album, Love Drunk, followed by the band’s first ever single, Hero/Heroine.
Boys Like Girls were last in town for the 2008 Soundwave Festival, and it seems as though many of their fans have stuck with them, with all being well acquainted with their 2009 release.

Vocalist Martin Johnson is well-traveled enough to know exactly what the fans want, playfully teasing them with bandmate Paul DiGiovanni, as well as throwing plenty of crooning and loving looks into the audience.

Heart Heart Heartbreak was a crowd favourite, as was Contagious. The entire band kept up energy throughout the set with the finale being something that fans will no doubt remember for years to come. Johnson pulled one excited girl on stage, and dozens followed, all singing at the top of their lungs to massive crowd pleaser, The Great Escape.

While not everyone may be able to stomach the sickly sweet lyrics, and poppy tunes, it’s hard to deny that Boys Like Girls are a great live band. They know what fans expect, and are flawless in delivering it.

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.