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Live: ANDY BLACK // Electric Ballroom, London

In his signature rock ‘n’ roll glam, Andy Black took to the stage at Camden’s Electric Ballroom for an unforgettable performance.

Andy Black - Electric Ballroom 2019 - GIG GOER

Performing under the moniker Andy Black, the founder and lead vocalist for the American rock band Black Veil Brides, Andy Biersack headed out on a string on UK dates in support of his second solo album, The Ghost Of Ohio, released in April this year.

Taking us for a thrilling and emotional ride through his vibrant catalogue last Friday night, Andy had the whole of Electric Ballroom in the palm of his hand. Despite technical problems at the beginning of the set, he dived headfirst into a couple of fan favourite tracks that were sure to go down a real treat. Showcasing Andy’s husky powerhouse vocals, They Don’t Need To Understand quickly erupted into a massive singalong, whilst Westwood Road continued to build the buzz with its swaying chorus and groovy rhythmic.

In between the soaring synth-infused journey in Beyond My Reach and emotionally-charged Paint In Black, which Andy dedicated to his wife, saying: “I was lucky to have met my soulmate early in my life”, the band treated us to a cover of Green Day’s 21 Guns. With a nostalgic tinge to it, and pounding chant-like chorus lyrics, it’s fair to say that every person in the room was living their best emo life in that very moment.

With a strong charisma, theatrical stage image and undeniable charm, Andy Biersack was born to be a performer. Having built an admirable and genuine bond with his fans, both as a solo artist and the BVB frontman, the mutual understanding and connection they share is truly palpable during his live shows. Before moving on to Beautiful Pain, he openly spoke about his past addressing the early stages of his career, “I’ve been doing this for most of my adult life. Earlier in my life I was pretty crazy. I wasn’t giving you the respect you deserved. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

Ending on a poignant yet energetic note, Ghost Of Ohio and We Don’t Have To Dance once again brought Andy’s cinematic take on pop and rock music to the forefront, keeping adrenaline levels high till the finale of the show.   

Pushing his creative boundaries and expanding his musical horizons in search of the right sound, there is no doubt that Andy Biersack has already gained renown. It is a difficult task to separate your solo career from the work of a bigger group, especially if your band can pride themselves on an established prestige and position on the music scene as BVB. But Andy has found a way to excel in both projects, and with dedication and commitment to his work and his fans, the future of Andy Black is set on a trajectory that will only go up.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka