Heroes Get Remembered but Legends Never Die as Four Year Strong Return To Manchester

Hot off the back of last year’s new album ‘Analysis Paralysis’, Massachusetts pop punk band, Four Year Strong, are back in the UK and ready to once again show us all how it’s done. Tonight, the band are in Manchester at a very full Academy 2. Joined by Koyo and Shoreline, will this be a night to remember or one to easily forget?

Kicking things off, we have Shoreline from Germany. Shoreline are still fairly young as far as bands go but they’ve been working hard to climb up the ladder and have gained a nice following in the process. The band itself falls closer to the DIY Punk/hardcore scene than it does to the pop punk scene but that’s okay, a variety is always good. The band play a high energy and, at times, an emotional set to a room which is slowly filling up. They may not have the biggest crowd just yet, but that doesn’t stop them giving it their all from the moment they take to the stage. It’s moments like this that can make or break a band but always delivering the best you can and with such passion will always win over the crowd regardless of the size.

Early in the set, vocalist Hansol Seung takes a moment to talk to the crowd about the hardcore roots of the band and how hardcore is all about being inclusive. He then goes on to say that is what he expects to see within the genre and at tonights show ensuring no one is left out, theres no discrimination and everyone looks out for each other. Closing out with ‘Bent/Broken’ the band thank the crowd. Judging by the crowds reactions there are definitely going to be some new fans of the band in the room tonight.

Next up is Koyo. Hailing from Long Island, New York, the band hit the ground running and have since gained notoriety amongst the pop punk and hardcore scene. Maybe it’s their catchy yet emotional song writing? Maybe it’s the similarities they share to early music by The Story So Far. No comparison matters when you have the ability to put on an exciting show which is captivating and entertaining. And that’s just what Koyo have done. Delivering a set comprised of melody infused hardcore the band keep the energy in the room high as they make their way through an enjoyable setlist. 

Amongst the barrage of crunching guitars and booming drums there are moments of softness within the set but for the most parts its full speed ahead, inciting some of the first mosh pits of the night. With lyrics that are delivered with intent, and at times anger, it makes sense that the crowd would begin to liven up here. And as quickly as they started the set draws to an end.

Four Year Strong have been putting music out since mid 2000. Now over 20 years later they’re still pumping out consistently strong music, something many other bands in their field have failed to do. Last years ‘Analysis Paralysis’ was an exciting album and another progression of their sound. But if there‘a one thing that you can always rely on Four Year Strong for, it’s an energetic and enjoyable live show and tonight is no different. The tour is in support of their new album, however, that doesn’t stop the band from bringing out the big guns. Following an explosive start with ‘aftermath/afterthought’ and ‘bad habit’ the band dive head first into ‘Heroes Get Remembered’, whipping the crowd into a frenzy of moshing and crowd surfing.

Having spent many years in the scene, the band are well travelled and their experience of playing live shows is clear. The band plays each song with precision whilst also making the most of the space they have on stage, whilst Vocalists Dan O’Connor and Alan Day deliver their dual vocals with passion and aggression. It‘s also fun to see the dual vocals working on stage, at times trading vocal lines between each other. Something that has always been a key drawing point to the band for many fans is the heavy riffs mixed into their fast paced and energetic songs and the live show only makes these moments stand out more. The breakdowns sound bigger, the upbeat moments are more exciting and the catchy choruses incite the room to erupt into a symphony of gang vocals on more than one occasion; ‘It Must Really Suck’ also brings out the classic aggressive finger pointing which pop punk shows are known for.

It can be difficult showing off songs from a new album when the crowd are so keen to hear the older songs yet songs from ‘Analysis Paralysis’ are extremely well received by the crowd but it is a little bit of a shame songs like ‘Rollercoaster’ didn’t make an appearance tonight. It’s also nice to see a band promote a new album bust also dive deep into their extensive back catalogue, playing numerous songs from their first album much to the delight of the crowd. The only draw back on tonights show is the level of smoke pumped onto the stage, leaving the band silhouetted against what could of been a vibrant light show. That aside, it’s always fun being amongst a crowd of like minded people belting out the words to songs like ‘Go Down In History’. Closing out their set with ‘Wasting Time’ feels like the perfect end to the set, giving the crowd one final chance to burn off the last of their energy.

All in all, its been a fun night of discovering new bands and enjoying a band who’ve left their mark on so many who follow the pop punk scene. Four Year Strong are still at the top of their game, clearly eager to share their music but ensuring no fan is left behind. In a scene where many bands who started out together have slowly fallen off the map, tonight’s show proves that legends like Four Year Strong truly never die.