Despite a 3 year absence following 2013's 'Big TV', the White Lies fan base have showed nothing but devotion as they came in their thousands to pack out Bristol's O2 Academy this cold December evening. Rounding up an exhilarating return to the live circuit following the recent release of their fourth studio album 'Friends', the London-based outfit were set to go out with a bang from the offset. I suppose it's only natural to assume this when the crowd are shouting back each and every word to opener Take It Out On Me, a track so fresh to their catalogue. 

Taking us full circle through their hits, the band plummet on through to There Goes Our Love Again and debut album's To Lose My Life, both to much appraise from the crowd. I just can't help but kick myself that I've left it quite this long to see them live. 2009 wasn't that great of a year. Having battled through it with anxiety and depression, White Lies' debut was always there to fall back on, its darkened pop sensibilities became the much needed soundtrack to my life. Even to the day it still brings back resounding memories of what I've achieved since and hearing those songs live only reinforces just how important this band have been. It appears I'm not the only one either with these thoughts as the crowd quickly began to jump around profusely with hands aloft, beer spilling from their cups. 

"This is one we've been practising for the tour" announces frontman Harry McVeigh as they give a stellar deliverance of rarely played track The Price Of Love. They look genuinely happy to be here, and undeterred by the last night of their UK tour continue to give it their all. Whilst crowd interaction is kept to a minimum, it takes nothing away from the band's no-nonsense approach to their music as Unfinished Business and Farewell To The Fairground both go to show just why their music's so timeless, McVeigh's strained vocals outreaching to the far corners of the room in almost operatic fashion. How to top that? Making exceptional use of those wide vocal dynamics is how with A Place To Hide truly coming to life as the epilepsy inducing stage-lights took a brief pause with the band switching tempo and intensity throughout.

"This one's for you all" he announces as Death's haunting string section opens up in to their most energising performance of the night. The roar from the crowd evidently displaying their profound love for the band. Returning for a 3-track encore ending the night with Come on and Big TV's cathartic and stirring guitar sections, the band slip away in to the dark with a bow, heads most certainly held high. And worthy of it too. 

White Lies' fourth studio album 'Friends' is available now BMG. They continue their tour next year at the following dates:

February 2017
1st - Washington DC, 9:30 Club
2nd - New York, Music Hall of Williamsburg
3rd - Boston MA, Middle East Club
4th - Toronto ON, Lee's Palace
6th - Chicago IL, Lincoln Hall
7th - Madison WI, Majestic Theatre
8th - Minneapolis MN, Cedar Cultural Cente
11th - Seattle WA, Nectar Lounge
12th - Vancouver BC, Rickshaw Theater
14th - San Franisco CA, The Chapel
15th - Los Angeles, El Ray Theatre
17th - Guadalajara, Teatro Diana
18th - Mexico City, El Plaza Condesa
23rd - UK, Newcastle O2 Academy
24th – UK, Sheffield O2 Academy
25th – UK, Oxford O2 Academy
27th – UK, Cardiff University
28th - UK, Leicester O2 Academy

March 20172nd – UK, Portsmouth Pyramids
3rd – UK, Hull University
4th – UK, London Troxy
6th – UK, Preston Guildhall
7th – UK, Aberdeen Garage
8th – UK, Edinburgh Potterrow
9th – UK, Hatfield The Forum
11th –UK, Keele University
12th – UK Norwich UEA

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