Friday 13/04/07 The View, The Paddingtons @ Carling Academy, Newcastle

Having no idea of who was the support act this evening, it is a welcome surprise when Hull-based 5-piece The Paddingtons take to the stage.  Opening their woefully short 30 minute set with the brilliant '50 To A Pound', the evening kicks off to an energetic start; and gets the already lairy crowd psyched up for tonight's headliners, The View.  Unfortunately, it seems that this moment represents the peak of the night's entertainment.  Although The Paddingtons sound great playing to a smaller venue packed full of their own fans, in this bigger location their set falls a bit flat.  The band cannot be faulted for their enthusiasm, and are on form even for slower number, 'I Don't Mind'; but the lively punk rock n roll that we normally see from the band fails to carry to the crowd.

And what a crowd it is.  Judging by the youthful appeal that The View have, (mainly because they're just kids themselves) you would expect the Academy to be full to the brim of boys in cardigans and scarves and girls in smock dresses and leggings.  But, somewhat incredulously, the majority of people here seem to be aged over 35/40 with skinheads and short skirts (thankfully not combined) - looking like a bunch of football supporters.  Weird.  However, appearances aside, the sweaty masses go mad as, hidden behind piles of hair, the Dundee quartet launch straight into album opener and Motorhead impersonation, 'Comin' Down' (sounds a bit like 'Ace Of Spades', anyone?).  Racing through the first three songs rapidly, it is not until radio favourite 'Wasted Little DJs' plays out that the set livens up. 

Despite all this, punctuated by short bursts of indecipherable Scottish, are sounding a bit too short and formulaic.  'Wasteland' is the only real highlight, made even more explosive juxtaposed with the acoustic 'Face For The Radio' and a cover of Squeeze's story of accidental pregnancy, 'Up The Junction' sounds edgier given a rock makeover.  But the set comes to a disappointingly abrupt finish: ending with ‘Superstar Tradesmen’ - a previous single but not one of the best tracks on the album.  There isn't even an encore and the last chord rings out at a little before 10 pm.  Ah well, maybe the wee Scottish laddies had to be in bed, bless 'em.