Thursday 03/11/05 The Subways @ The Academy 4, Liverpool

You could be forgiven for having a slight de ja vu as The Subways grace the same venue with the same supports  way back in February…with exactly the same set of songs to boot.  Ok, so it’s slightly a bigger room, and  yes, they’ve come a long way, baby, not even the hardest of critics could deny that.  With their cheeky chappy charisma shining brightly through their energetic, high octane set, the full-to-capacity audience could not be any further elated into states of rock n roll bliss. 

The gorgeously addictive chorus of recent release 'With You' pulsated through the venue as Billy strutted and strummed away like the best of ‘em. His beautiful bassist fiancé Charlotte was at his side and they flirted and flaunted in their come-to-be trade mark stylee. Fear fuelled and yet celebratory 'Young For Eternity' got the crowd bouncing even higher from their invisible pogo sticks, with things being brought  down to a more melancholic, mood as 'Lines Of Light' soothed our eardrums for a golden few minutes (the song, by the way, sounding annoyingly familiar and yet not quite place able.) 

A boisterous 'Rock & Roll Queen' and the lamentful 'Mary' were definite crowd pleasers, all fans knowing all words…not hard as it has been the same material for near on a year. With Charlotte announcing Billy’s 21st birthday, we at the 'Wise were hopeful of impromptu cake for all, but alas all that followed was the predictable (though rather sweet none the less) accapela crowd rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. A floating ‘21’ balloon made it’s way around the place, and Billy attempted a stage dive, but then things settled down again, they left the stage, only to return to deliver a short burst of an encore. The Subways are great. They make fab catchy choons, are perky little things full of beauty, energy, and the hopefulness of youth.  But come on guys. Seriously. Get some more songs!