Sunday, March 3, 2019

Pop Evil in the UK: O2 Academy, Islington, London (and The Fallen State, too)

Pop Evil
Pop Evil, London's O2 Academy Islington
Links to the photo galleries are at the end of the post.

It was a last-minute trip (and a big thank you to those who made the photo access happen): Wednesday, I didn't think I'd be able to go, but there were still tickets (a few, unlike the earlier sold-out Birmingham show) and there are trains with tables for working on... seems like the O2 Academy Islington might be my go-to venue (it's only a three-hour-each-way commute!) as they do host some amazing bands... Jonathan Davis and now Pop Evil, to name just a couple. It's an intimate venue - around 800 capacity -- tube and trains and hotels are very close by, there's street food and shopping and everyone needs a night in London every so often, right?

Leigh Kakaty and Hayley Cramer, Pop Evil
Leigh Kakaty and Hayley Cramer, Pop Evil
Every Pop Evil show is a gem -- this was no exception to that shining, energetic, rule -- and the London fans made them very welcome. Playing songs from their full repertoire from the opener Boss's Daughter through to the last notes of Trenches (duet with Leigh Kakaty and Ben Stenning from support band, The Fallen State), the show rocked: legendary!

Pop Evil
Pop Evil at the O2 Academy Islington, London UK
Having missed Pop Evil last year in the USA - they were scheduled to play at Louder Than Life, I was on my way, but weather happened and it was cancelled - this was my first time seeing the band with British drummer, Hayley Cramer. If you want to see the epitome of someone enjoying their job? Go see Pop Evil, and watch Hayley play. Indeed... all the band. It's an infectious delight.

Have you listened to Pop Evil, yet?

Matt DiRito, bass, Pop Evil
Matt DiRito, bass, Pop Evil
The O2 gig and then a final date in Amsterdam was the last of the current European tour: Pop Evil head to Australia in early April, then back to the USA for dates beginning in Cincinnati on April 10th. To keep up with tour dates - including this year's festivals - see the tour page.

Leigh Kakaty, Pop Evil and Ben Stenning, The Fallen State
Leigh Kakaty, Pop Evil and Ben Stenning, The Fallen State, singing Trenches
Main support for Pop Evil on the European dates - The Fallen State, hailing from Barnstaple, Devon - the beautiful southwest of England. Already well-known around the UK, the band have released five EPs to date. Their first full-length album, A Deadset Endeavour, is due for release very soon and can be ordered here. If you haven't heard them yet, check them out - hear Torn, from the upcoming album, here on YouTube and find more info on their Facebook too.

Ben Stenning, vocals, The Fallen State
Ben Stenning, The Fallen State
Photogalleries:
The Fallen State
The Fallen State, O2 Islington