Proving that good music never goes out of style, Midnite City make a triumphant return with a homecoming gig at Nottingham’s The Old Cold Store venue. Since bursting out of Robin Hood country in 2017, this tenacious quintet have left a tantalising trail of releases in their wake with their latest long player, In At The Deep End, being a career-defining affair. However, it’s in the live environment where the men are separated from the boys and Midnite City are here tonight to strut their stuff and prove their worth – and they certainly achieve that accolade.
There’s a tangible sense of excitement that’s heightened as the band’s intro tape ‘Outbreak’ begins, and when they do hit the stage and launch into ‘Ready To Go’ it’s with high energy and an obvious sense of enjoyment – this band clearly love what they do. With a discography comprising of feel good rock anthems and melodic metal monsters, Midnite City have the chops to soundtrack a boozy Saturday night, and that’s precisely what they serve up. The strife of the working week magically fades away as the band unleash ‘Atomic’ and ‘Girls Gone Wild’ in quick succession.
Midnite City’s anthemic sound is tailor made for the biggest arenas and power ballads such as ‘Hardest Heart To Break’ are sure to get them there in style. However, the band aren’t taking anything for granted and they’re putting in the hard work, that much is clear to see. As they deliver a heartfelt rendition of ‘Hardest Heart To Break’, it’s not difficult to imagine thousands of mobile phones illuminating huge venues to the song. One downside is that The Old Cold Store stage can seem a little small for the band, especially during the more raucous numbers like ‘One Step Away’ where the band are using every inch of the stage with vocalist Rob Wylde being particularly animated and intent on giving all present a high five personally, he is a real frontman who obviously loves his job and pulls in every person in the room.
With plenty of stick twirling, drummer Ryan Briggs delivers an earthshaking solo before Josh Williams comes through with a bass run that attacks our solar plexus. Yet, it’s unfair to single out any one band member because, quite simply, they’re all outstanding with guitarist Miles Meakin dazzling us with some fast finger fretwork that leaves us shouting for more and Shawn Charvette making a lasting impression with his signature keyboard wizardry. It’s this high octane approach that keeps the faithful returning again and again; there’s so much to take in at a Midnite City show, both visually and sonically, that witnessing them once is never enough. Like a drug, the band’s pull will keep you hooked and coming back for more.
The majority of tonight’s set is taken from their latest album, but there’s plenty of room for much loved old favourites such as ‘They Only Come Out At Night’ (from 2021’s Itch You Can’t Scratch) and ‘Give Me Love’ (from their second full length There Goes The Neighbourhood), while closer ‘We Belong’ rightly solidifies a sense of belonging amongst Midnite City’s committed fans and brings about a huge sing along to ensure the band depart in style. With global warming reaching boiling point and the threat of war putting the planet in a perilous position, we need the Good Time Music of Midnite City more than ever.
Review and pictures by Philip Piskor
Set List:
- Outbreak
- Ready To Go
- Atomic
- Girls Gone Wild
- Someday
- Hardest Heart To Break
- One Step Away
- Drum Solo
- Good Time Music
- Bass Solo
- Summer Of Our Lives
- You Don’t Understand Me
- Like There’s No tomorrow
- SONIKKU TO NAKKURU
- Raise The Dead
- They Only Come Out At Night
- Girls Of Tokyo
- Can’t Wait For The Nights
- Give Me Love
- We Belong
