The Temperance Movement - O2 Academy Oxford 1st May 2014

First up was Brother And Bones who, I have to say were the perfect warm up act for The Temperance Movement. A 5 piece led by Richard Thomas on acoustic guitar and vocals they played a mix of folk , heavy rock , tribal (due to the added percussion ) and just bloody good music played with a real passion to show the crowd what they had.

" Long Way To Go " , " To Be Alive " and " Back To Shore " all seemed to start with an acoustic guitar and through light and shade built to a crescendo of drums bass and guitar.

I'm not sure how many people knew of them but by the end they were all applauding as one and I for one will be looking out for their live ep available from their website at www.brotherandbones.com.   

Only 16 months since being third on the bill to Little Angels at Shepherds Bush Empire through 3 tours and a simply brilliant debut cd there are not going to be many more nights like this. The Temperance Movement are surely on the fast-track to bigger and better things, so to see them tonight in the small confines of the O2 Academy at Oxford was fantastic and a privilege.



Phil Campbell is simply mesmerising - you cannot take your eyes off of him - coming across as the bastard offspring of Mick Jagger and Paul Rodgers (moves like Jagger, sings like Rodgers.. God forbid not the other way around!)  - and THAT voice is simply stunning.

The band wear their hearts on their sleeves - you can hear influences from classic 70's rock bands like the Allman Brothers, Free -even the Eagles on some harmonies.. but all with a modern edge that make them sound timeless.  It is like watching a masterclass from a band that's been together for 30 years, but in reality it's closer to 30 months!

The twin guitars of Luke Potashnick and Paul Sayer are simply incredible feeding off each other and you watch each of them solo in awe. Nick Fyffe on bass and Damian Wilson on drums hold it all together and again a pleasure to see musicians enjoying playing music .



The band seem to go on little interludes in some songs, almost jamming in front of a live audience, and just when you think they are on the verge of losing it . .BAMM.. they come right back on track and hit you with the main riff or chorus.. beautiful stuff.

New songs " Battle Lines ", " Oh Lorraine " and " Long Run " all sound like like old favourites and it's varied - these are no one-trick-ponies as anyone who has their EP or debut album will tell you. From out and out rockers like the magnificent " Midnight Black " ( played at what appeared to be twice as fast as usual ), to  blues rock anthems like "Only Friend" and "Know for Sure" to the sublimely beautiful "Pride" and "Chinese Lanterns"

In 90 minutes that simply flew by we got :


  • Ain't No Telling
  • Battle Lines
  • Take It Back
  • Smouldering
  • Oh Lorraine
  • Be Lucky
  • Only Friend
  • Long Run
  • Chinese Lanterns
  • Lovers & Fighters
  • Know For Sure
  • Pride
  • Midnight Black




Another stunning performance from one of Britain's hey lets say it one of the world's finest bands.

Stadiums beckon!!





ME and NR 

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