MAN WITH A MISSION at O2 Academy, London

The vibe tonight felt almost low key as support act Rory Indiana took to the stage. The band played a decent set, their alternative and beautifully melodic music interesting to the ears. The crowd took them in with full appreciation but it felt as though they may have been saving their energy for the main event.

Sure enough, as the clock hit 9pm, the house lights dimmed once more and MAN WITH A MISSION entered the stage one by one to almost ear splitting cheers from their fans. In no time at all the wolves were setting the pace with database, the rhythm infecting every single body in the room and every voice singing the lyrics of the catchy chorus. The gig had been officially opened with an exhilarating performance.

MAN WITH A MISSION continued with spirited energy, performing songs from each of their full-length albums, making sure that they were utilising what time they had here tonight to perform the perfect songs to hear and see live. Get Off of My Way and Fly Again were especially brilliant. The crowd were thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere of these two songs and the interaction between them and the band members. Things hit a huge peak during Fly Again as suddenly the crowd were face to face with sets of glowing eyes, thrilling the fans who responded with thunderous cheers and applause.

Even the rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit was a welcome addition to the set tonight. It was fun and lively … nothing like the Nirvana version at all, which might have been a negative thing for some Nirvana fans, but this live version took the original and mashed it up with power, passion and rap. This cover raised the crowd’s energy once again (as if it had ever diminished!), fans were head-banging, throwing their fists into the air and singing the lyrics as though nobody owned it.

The performance tonight was regrettably short, only an hour-long set, but what it lacked in time spent onstage the band made up for in sheer showmanship. MAN WITH A MISSION were superb. Their energy was fantastic and the crowd matched them, eagerly joining in and interacting with the band, singing the lyrics and performing the dance moves along with the group.

All in all, it would have been very, very hard to have come here tonight and not had a good time. MAN WITH A MISSION can call this, only their second gig in the capital, a definite success and be safe in the knowledge that they will most assuredly be welcomed back any time in the near future!

Set List

01. database
02. Welcome to the New World
03. Take What U Want
04. distance
05. Get Off of My Way
06. Give it Away
07. Smells Like Teen Spirit
08. Fly Again
09. The World's on Fire
10. Emotions

Encore

11. Seven Deadly Sins
12. Raise your Flag