MUCC – O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON – LONDON – 18/05/2015 – REVIEW
Making their first appearance in the UK in over 6 years, MUCC finally returned on May 18th as part of their ‘F#CK THE PAST, F#CK THE FUTURE’ tour. Although the crowd that poured into the O2 Academy Islington was not as big or as noisy as I had expected, they compensated for it once the band emerged onstage and opened with the atmospheric ‘The End of the World’.
The band continuously engaged with everyone, offering more English MCs than most Japanese bands manage. Their impressive speeches revealed not only that they very much like English gardens (who knew?), but also that vocalist Tatsurou had lost touch with time in the haze of stardom, arguing with some fans over how long it had been since MUCC last graced our little island with their powerful presence. Was it three years? Was it six? It was six.
Another surprise came, more importantly, in the setlist. As well as giving the audience a taste of their two latest albums, SHANGRI-LA and THE END OF THE WORLD, the band played plenty of old favourites, including ‘Saishuu Ressha’, ‘Ageha’, and ‘FUZZ’ (yes, the harmonica too). Older fans were having as much fun as the newer ones, and the energy grew exponentially throughout the evening. The circle pit was one of the friendliest I’ve ever seen, but the headbanging got more and more intense as the setlist continued, and the jumping only got higher and higher. Tracks like ‘Ender Ender’, ‘G.G.’ and ‘Mr Liar’ set everyone off like fireworks, the light show illuminating every face as we tore our shoulder muscles and strained our fists. ‘Nirvana’, ‘TELL ME’ and ‘Hallelujah’ packed emotional punches, while the cheesy dance moves really came out in the bouncy, jazzy tracks ‘369 (Miroku)’ and ‘Pure Black’.
Some final highlights were provided by ‘Kyouran Kyoushou – 20th Century Baby’, where I couldn’t help but stamp my feet in time to the heavy, marching rhythm, and ‘OMAKE’, in which everyone just let go and barely saw the stage for the sea of hair. MUCC also treated us to some new songs- ‘D. f. d.’ was a darker, heavier track, while ‘Suiren’ and the ending track of the encore, ‘Tonight’, were more uplifting and moving.
The two hour show was a relentless assault on ear drums, necks, and bodies. All four members seemed to enjoy it immensely, and kept chatting with the audience throughout, however much the others messed about as one of them tried to speak. They kept everybody laughing, tearing up, and throwing themselves around until the very last minute, and left the stage fairly swiftly afterwards, leaving a silence behind them filled only by a ringing in my ears.
MUCC gave us one of those concerts that wears you out so much you almost want it to be over, and at the same time is so fantastic that you never want it to end. Ever. The band continues onwards to France this week, before setting out for the rest of Europe for several more dates before they head back to Japan. For now, though, I think everyone in the UK wishes them luck on the rest of their Euro tour, and keenly awaits their return, whether it’s another six years, or maybe only three!
Words by Lauren du Plessis