Live Review: Air Traffic @ Koko - 22nd January 2008

Sometimes a band that has a great album, they’re shockingly awful when you go and see them live (yes, Magic Numbers, I’m looking at you). However, Air Traffic tonight proved that you can have an exceptional album, and be amazing live.

Opening up were The Runners, initially a pretty average band, however as their set progressed a particularly dazzling ending couple of singles – catchy, poppy, and pretty intelligent stuff – but none too original. But ho hum.

Second up was Alberta Cross. Now, normally their music would be right up my street, but for a gig full of teenagers wanting to have the loud version of a band, to come on and say “We’re Alberta Cross, and we play acoustic guitars” is almost like advertising “time for a loo break for those that need it, else blow up a condom and bounce it round the crowd and boo where you see fit”, which is exactly what happened. Good stuff, but pretty samey, and not at all suited to the crowd.

Then, finally, the moment we’d all been waiting for: Air Traffic. Their debut album, Fractured Life, is full of rather good singles, varied, but still not too far out of the mainstream (and far better than Athlete (who some have compared them to) any day). Launching through their catalogue, they went at a breakneck speed, playing new stuff, old stuff, and everything everyone wants.

The highlight was, without a doubt, their last single “No More Running Away”, thrown in just before the end of their main set, seeing two drums beating out the enchanting chorus that had the whole room chanting “No more…. Running away…” it was quite hypnotic, and the exact reason I went to see them.

They all seemed pretty gobsmacked at the response we gave them – Chris, the lead singer, couldn’t stop thanking the audience, and seemed to imply it was the pinnacle of their past year, even uttering those famous words “you know, I think this is our best gig ever”.

Closing off the encore with “Shooting Star”, the lads from Bournemouth showed just what a long way they’ve come in the past year, and shown us that there’s plenty more of where their stunning debut album came from.

If you want a bigger version of any picture just leave a comment or get in touch by email

Above: The Runners supporting Air Traffic @ Koko

Above: Alberta Cross supporting Air Traffic @ Koko

Above: Air Traffic @ Koko - Tuesday 22nd January 2008

Above: Air Traffic @ Koko - Tuesday 22nd January 2008

Above: Air Traffic @ Koko - Tuesday 22nd January 2008

Above: Air Traffic @ Koko - Tuesday 22nd January 2008