Live Review: Rise Against / The Nightwatchman

O2 Academy, Glasgow

Friday November 4th 2011

The Academy was absolutely packed out with a fairly mixed crowd of old and young punks alike this Friday night. And while the music was good, both Rise Against and (especially) Tom Morello The Nightwatchman brought just a bit too much political angst to the table to truly make the night enjoyable.

Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine was the main support act for the evening in the guise of The Nightwatchman, his folk punk side project. (Opening band Polar Bear Club were on too early for us to see). And while the music he plays is unquestionably good, folk punk mixed with alternative rock, with Morello showing an unexpected aptitude for singing. However, Morello's political views are pushed far too much to the forefront. Pledging his support to the current "Occupy" movement was particularly crass given those involved in the Glasgow protest had been implicated in the rape of a young woman earlier in the week. The cheer that the statement got from the crowd showed a huge amount of ignorance and fawning in my opinion. That said, the tunes were good, especially the sing-a-long "World Wide Rebel Songs". If people want to see a political protest, a Nightwatchman show would be a good place. He should just tone it down when in a support slot.

The main event was Chicago punks Rise Against, who ahve racked up quite a following in Scotland over the last few years, as evidenced by the large crowd in attendance. Musically, live the band are fantastic. Unfortunately, frontman Tim McIlrath's voice is not as strong live as on record, not that it really detracts from the whole experience. The stripped down, acoustic portion of the set was a particular highlight on the night, and seemed to go down well.

I can't help feel that I'd have enjoyed the night a whole lot more if I was more familiar with Rise Against's work. They're a band I've always liked, but never really listened to a great deal. Tom Morello let the side down a bit with his between song ranting, but overall, a pretty good night out.

*** 1/2