Review: Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake

How many gigs have you been to where the support act really should have been the headliner?

If you were at the O2 Academy in Leeds last night then you will know what I’m talking about.

Less than Jake have been around since 1995 but they’ve never lost their energy and connection with their fans.

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I’ve seen them play countless times since I first discovered them as a purple-haired 14-year-old and they never fail to disappoint.

When Chris DeMakes told the audience to pretend it was 2004 all over again just about everyone in there knew what he meant.

They rattled through some of the best tracks from the very beginnings of their first album, Pezcore, right through to their new material from See The Light.

The highlights included Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts, History of a Boring Town and, of course, All My Best Friends Are Metalheads.

The headliners Reel Big Fish were a different story.

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They played almost the same set list as last year when they played at Leeds Metropolitan University and others before that.

I can’t remember the last time I saw them and they didn’t finish with their cover of Take On Me - a song which is hardly their best.

I hate to say it but they looked bored with themselves. Their hearts were definitely not in it.

And judging by the lack lustre response from the crowd everyone noticed.

But to be fair they did have a tough act to follow.

The tour continues in Nottingham tonight (Friday).

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