Title Fight @ Camden Underworld

Camden Underworld is, with the possible exception of the Barfly up the road, the best intimate venue in London. With no barriers, no visible security and a small stage only a few feet off the ground it’s big enough for ‘established’ bands to play (unlike the Barfly to a certain extent) but you can still reach out your sweaty hands and touch the band on stage (of that’s your thing). Perfect then, as a venue for one of Americas most talked about/loved/obsessed on hardcore bands to play.

Title Fight had also brought some pretty exciting bands with them as well. Transit, who played first, have recently, released one of the year’s best albums in ‘Listen & Forgive’ and it showed. Fingers were pointed and words were sung throughout the crowd with ‘Long Lost Friends’ being belted out with ear splitting force and ‘1978’ providing a more touching moment as the set neared its end, the band’s blend of catchy pop-punk riffs with a post-hardcore edge making for a top notch opening to the evening.

Balance and Composure brought a very different vibe to the party. Like a modern Sunny Day Real Estate with a three guitar assault that was as musically impressive as it was surprisingly catchy. Playing mostly from their debut LP ‘Separation’ the stage presence might have been a bit flat (especially after Transit’s set) but it was still highly enjoyable. It was also nice to have a support band considerably different from the main act playing, the longer, spaced out songs and slower tempos giving everyone a bit of a break before the inevitable riot that the Title Fight would be.

The band from Kingston delivered on that promise. With the gladiators pit that is the front of stage at Underworld packed out and the weak of heart looking on from the back the expected stage dive armageddon was spectacular. Despite a punishing touring schedule this year (with the band having literally just come off the America wide AP tour) they were magnificent live. Playing mostly from this year’s LP ‘Shed’ but also touching upon earlier EP material they pulled off the trick of making the songs sound as exciting live as they do on record; ‘27’, ‘Loud and Clear’ and ‘Shed’ all being fine examples of this, delivered with a passion and energy that deserved the response they got. If you’ve ever seen live video of that band (or been lucky enough to catch them in the flesh) you’ll know what I’m talking about, things were pretty mental from the word go, with people crowd surfing on top of crowd surfers at some points and various bits of the stage being ripped apart.

It was, all in all, a pretty dominant performance. I may have left with aching ribs and sore ears but at least I was well satisfied. I didn’t even mind I couldn’t hear from my left ear the next day.