Live: Blossoms @ The Forum, London

by | Oct 2, 2016

Stockport rockers Blossoms’ story is one that truly endears them to their audience and the music industry alike. They’re young, fresh and full of energy, but with an understanding of the struggle it takes to succeed in the music business, each member having tried and failed in past musical endeavours while working other jobs to make ends meet. In a stark contrast to the plethora of manufactured bands that come and go with the seasons, it’s Blossoms’ songs that have got them where they are. As it should be.

Tom Ogden of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Tom Ogden of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

The Tom Ogden-led indie rockers played their biggest London headline show to date at Kentish Town’s Forum venue, selling the North London favourite out and making a statement about their arrival following the release of their self-titled debut L.P. last month. Strolling on stage encased in shadows to the intro of Kayne West’s Black Skinhead, the 5-piece tore straight into single At Most A Kiss, the audience enthralled to finally be singing along with the 23-year-old frontman, who hid behind his long hair and guitar as Charlie Salt’s bass parts vibrated throughout the former art deco cinema.

Charlie Salt of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Charlie Salt of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

“Thank you London, we’re Blossoms from Stockport” Ogden said in his deep Mancunian accent to a cheering crowd before launching into 2015 single Cut Me And I’ll Bleed, the crowd singing along to Josh Dewhurst’s catchy lead guitar part before any words were sung. “Let’s have a round of applause for Myles Kellock on the keyboard” Ogden called as Joe Donovan’s bass drum kicked off 2014 single Blow, the psychedelic undertones of the verses giving the tune a distinctive flavour, leaving a lasting aftertaste in the minds of the audience as Ogden left them to sing the song out without musical accompaniment. The quirky Smashed Pianos was up next, once again demonstrating the unique make-up of the groups debut record which led it to taking the #1 spot on the UK album charts on release and held it there for two weeks.

Josh Dewhurst of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Josh Dewhurst of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Following a well-received outing of latest single Honey Sweet, and fan favourite Blown Rose with its whimsical lyrics – “Stately homes of England, how beautiful they stand” – the band departed the stage leaving Ogden solo to strap on an acoustic guitar. “Do you all mind if I slow down a little bit?” he asked of the audience. The frontman then proceeded to converse with a member of the audience, fishing out that the fan had had his heart broken by a girl named Kayla. So for his stripped-back rendition of  My Favourite Room, Ogden slipped in the girl’s name into his lyrics, to laughs from the audience, before winding up the song with a few bars of Babybird’s 1996 hit single You’re Gorgeous leading into a few from Oasis b-side Half The World Away.

Tom Ogden of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Tom Ogden of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Chants of ‘Stockport’ welcomed the rest of the band back on stage, Odgen turning to Kellock and asking him if he thought that was the first ever chant of their home town in the London venue before the tempo was raised once more with album cut Texia, the hook-laden pop tune leading the crowd to bop along to guitars and synths mixing harmoniously atop the track’s disco rhythm.

Joe Donovan of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Joe Donovan of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

More chants of ‘Stockport, Stockport’ met the group as Texia came to a close. “Stockport? Have you ever been?” Ogden asked of those shouting the name of his hometown. Reeling off the town’s highlights he continued: “We’ve got a hat museum, we’ve got a 24-hour Tesco, and we’ve got fucking Blossoms!” More psychedelica was up next in the form of Deep Grass, the deep-set bass underlying trippy synths for the slow-groove album cut.

Josh Dewhurst of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Josh Dewhurst of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

“Have you got one more in you London?!” Odgen asked of his audience to enthusiastic cheers before the group launched into biggest hit Charlemagne, the tune enticing the audience to engage once again, those in the balcony on their feet to see the lads out.

Tom Ogden of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Tom Ogden of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

The Northerners have had a busy and incredible 2016, from making the #4 spot for BBC’s Sound of 2016, playing some 150 gigs, hitting the festival scene in earnest with 45 appearances, their eponymous debut album’s release which saw it at #1 for two weeks and now their biggest headline tour to date, and they seem to be enjoying every last second of it and putting the Greater Manchester area back on the music map once again. Their set was short but sweet, comprised of just the twelve songs from their debut album, but their abrupt departure with no encore did seem to leave their audience a little shell-shocked. I’m sure as their repertoire expands and newer material comes into the fold, their show will be adjusted accordingly.

L-R: Tom Ogden, Joe Donovan, Charlie Salt & Myles Kellock of Blossoms (Kalpesh Patel)

Blossoms @ BBK Live 2016 – L-R: Tom Ogden, Joe Donovan, Charlie Salt & Myles Kellock (Kalpesh Patel)

Blossoms continue hitting up the UK through to 8th October’s Neighbourhood Festival in Manchester before packing up their kit for U.S. and European dates before returning to the UK for a run of shows kicking off with two at Manchester’s Albert Hall and a stop at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire before closing out the year at Bournemouth’s Old Fire Station.

Live review of Blossoms @ The Forum, Kentish Town by Kalpesh Patel on 29th September 2016.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000MyVi0xFgkfY” g_name=”Blossoms” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”iptch” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_smooth=”t” f_up=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”640″ height=”480″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”FFFFFFF” btype=”new” bcolor=”#FFFFFF” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”sweep” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” bgtrans=”f” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” target=”_self” ]

Kalpesh has more music photography up on his flickr stream here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingforkate

Lizzie Esau for Rockshot Magazine (Kalpesh Patel)

“Always Dreaming Of Something, And Not On This Planet” — Lizzie Esau Has Sky-High Ambitions

It’s a grey day in Newcastle, but Lizzie Esau is all colour. Not just in her sound — an intoxicating blend of indie...
The Royston Club (Sam Crowston)

The Royston Club Announce New Album ‘Songs For The Spine’ And Biggest Tour Yet Ciematic

After the Top 20 success of their debut album, The Royston Club are pushing into bold new territory with the announcement of their second full-length record, Songs For The Spine, due out 8th August. Alongside the album reveal comes the emotionally charged new single Glued To The Bed, premiered by Huw Stephens on BBC 6 Music, and news of their biggest UK headline tour to date—culminating in a major London show at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Lissie (Madison Speer)

Rockshot Favourite Lissie Returns With Tender New EP Promises, Sharing Heartfelt Cover Of ‘I’ll Stand By You’

A long-time favourite here at Rockshot Magazine, American singer-songwriter Lissie makes a welcome return with her...
Skerryvore (Press)

Skerryvore Unveil Uplifting New Single ‘The Sea That Sings’ Ahead of Biggest Show Yet At Floors Castle

Scottish folk-rock trailblazers Skerryvore are celebrating 20 years of music, memories, and massive live moments with...
Will Linley (Press)

Will Linley Channels Heartache Into Euphoria On New Single ‘Cinematic’

South African-born artist Will Linley is keeping his foot on the gas. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has returned with his brand-new single Cinematic via Island Records—a sweeping, emotional anthem that perfectly captures the push-pull between heartbreak and hope. Known for his self-coined “sad-pop” style, Linley once again proves his ability to transform personal pain into songs that make you want to dance through the tears.

House of Protection (Anthony Tran)

House Of Protection Drop Electrifying New EP ‘Outrun You All’ & Announce UK Tour Dates

One of the most thrilling new forces in heavy music, House Of Protection have released their sophomore EP Outrun You All via Red Bull Records—a genre-hopping, high-octane project that confirms the duo’s position as one of 2024’s most fearless acts. Known for fusing atmospheric trip-hop, art punk, underground electronic, and hardcore chaos, the band wastes no time diving deep into their expansive musical world on this blistering seven-track release.

Jawbone (Rob Blackham / Blackham Images)

Jawbone Reignite Their Signature Sound With ‘Jawbone II’ — A Soulful, Live-Wire Triumph Of Folk, Rock & Psychedelia

It’s been a long time coming, but some things are worth the wait. Acclaimed British roots-rock band Jawbone have released their long-anticipated second album, Jawbone II, out now via 5dB Records (also home to anaiis, Ashaine White, and MOULD). Arriving seven years after their 2018 debut, Jawbone II reintroduces the quartet with the full force of their signature blend: timeless songwriting, masterful musicianship, and a rare kind of chemistry that can only come from years of playing together.

The Zipheads Kickstart A Rock ‘N’ Roll Renaissance In London

There’s two types of people in this world: those who’ve experienced The Zipheads live, and those who are missing out....

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing