So here we are again. Almost two years ago, Funeral For A Friend headlined Concorde2 on the back of their fifth album ‘Welcome Home, Armageddon’. One album later, but this time standing sardine-like in The Haunt, we’re left to wonder: are they’re losing their touch?

But firstly, honourable mentions must go to the support acts. Exeter lads and Red Bull Bedroom Jam 2012 winners, I Divide still manage to evoke a few headbangs despite being the first act. Such Gold also warrant a comment, with their rough-around-the-edges pop-punk that is actually a catalyst for a lot of the crowd’s presence.

Now comes the turn of the headliners. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the change in this iconic band. The Welsh lads are typically remembered as the pinnacle of mid-noughties emo, but are now seen as an evolved, albeit forever member-shifting, post-hardcore unit. This is reflected in last month’s release ‘Conduit’, a far heavier and verging on hardcore album, but to many, this is a perfect form of progression for the veteran band.

As with their previous Concorde2 show, FFAF’s set is heavily based around their first two albums: ‘Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation’ and ‘Hours’. They also include a respectable five songs from ’Conduit’, giving us a taste of their newly sculpted sound.

As was to be expected, crowd favourite ‘Roses For The Dead’ is played to an incredible pulse of sweaty bodies against the beer glazed floor. The sombre themes and addictive melodies bring out the closeted emo in us all. The crowd-surfing is rife amongst the writhing punters – we even see the band diving off the stage and the fans jumping on.

Frontman Matt Davies-Kreye has surely made many people shed a tear with his carefully crafted lyrics, but there’s nothing quite as heartwarming as seeing this same tenderness towards his fans. At one point, he stops playing and appeals to the crowd to search for a stolen phone, unfortunately to no avail.

But even more affecting was Matt’s brutally honest dedication to all the criticism and put-downs he endured whilst growing up – leading in to the powerful track ‘History’. As they end their set on a sombre but hopeful mood, we are left knowing that no, nothing has been lost, but things change, and hopefully for the better.

Haunt, Monday 4th February 2013
Words by Lizzi Hart
Photos by Charles Shepherd