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Live: THE STORY SO FAR // O2 Forum Kentish Town, London

Last Saturday’s show saw the London crowd losing their shit over how much they loved The Story So Far, myself included.

The Story So Far - O2 Forum

Surely, one of the most anticipated comebacks this year. Returning to the live circuit with their best work to date, their fourth studio album Proper Dose, West Coast rockers reminded us all how much we missed them.

Swaggering on to the stage with a grin on his face, Parker Cannon an co. were greeted by the loud screams and crowdsurfing actions from the very start. In signature, angry TSSF style, the electrifying chords of Nerve hit the ether and the madness commenced.

Intertwining some of the fan favourites with their brand new material, the band delivered a diverse array of songs that set hearts racing and bodies flying over our heads. With the opening lyrics of Proper Dose, “Highs and lows are how I flow”, it perfectly captured the spirit of the entire performance with the audience going nuts during every track. As magnetic guitar riffs threw us straight into the whirl of expansive rhythmics, Parker’s anthemic vocals hit us with honesty and personal context.

In between the cascading soundscapes of Things I Can’t Change, All Wrong and The Glass, the band served us more tastes of their new album, and as I looked around, the crowd had already known all the lyrics. With fluid tempo changes being just exquisite throughout the whole show, we experienced the adrenaline-charged rush in Out Of It and the emotional turmoil of Keep This Up.

Balancing their old school influences with new aspirations, the band took their sound to new heights on Proper Dose, and that masterfully translated into the live format. Inspired by The Beatles and Oasis, TSSF travelled further and deeper into new sonic spaces. What’s more, this new direction also appeared to be reflecting on the band’s stage charisma as Parker channelled some strong Liam Gallagher demeanour. With his vocals being on-point throughout the show, Let It Go demonstrated the band’s prowess in shaping proper pop bangers, as the song struck with its melodic core and a singalong chorus.

After a short story about the band’s trip across Europe and visiting Amsterdam for the very first time, the absolute standout song Upside Down carried a change in dynamics. Accompanied by massive singalongs, the track charmed with its soaring melodies and introspective lyrics. Building up to a delightful harmony of layers and textures, the lyrics “It’s all love now, upside down” echoed throughout the room. As Parker said, “You killed it. You didn’t fuck up at all. That was a first time. Thanks guys for supporting this band.”

The acoustic arrangement of Take Me As You Please was another tender moment that exposed the band’s emotional nature without compromising the sharpness and cohesiveness of their performance. However, it was time for the energy to rock sky high again, as they served us explosive Empty Space and Quicksand, the last punch in your face that rounded off the main set.

Out of breath and out of sight, as I found myself slightly lost amongst the buzzing crowd at this point, the band returned for a short encore. “Last one. You know it”, we heard as the stunning Clairvoyant closed the night.

Rocking out for over a decade now, The Story So Far have become a huge inspiration in the genre and certainly heroes for some, as I am sure many of us grew up with their music in our headphones. Acknowledging the baggage they carry, not only have they evolved experimenting with their sound, but they’ve also proved that they’re still the same people. With many turns and twists along the way, the live experience they deliver is still a rowdy one, and frankly, we couldn’t ask for more.

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Photos: Kasia Osowiecka