Blakfish Farewell Show

All good things must come to an end, and so it was when Blakfish played their final ever show in front of a packed-out Flapper in Birmingham last Friday. I had never been to a band’s final gig before (at least not knowing so it would be the final one at the time), but every Blakfish gig I have ever attended has had such an incredible party atmosphere, and this show was no exception. A room full of friends and fans with one clear connection - a love for this band and the music they have given us over the past decade

Opening the proceedings, Conquistadors broke into the opening bars of Blakfish classic 22nd before sweeping through a selection of new songs from their forthcoming EP. The maturity of this band’s sound has developed hugely considering this will be only their 3rd offering and I am looking forward to its imminent release immensely. As the final notes of fan favourite Bake Your Cake And Eat It rang out, I knew this was going to be a night I wouldn’t soon forget.

Blakfish touring buddies The JCQ follow up with a ferocious set of huge, filthy slabs of rock, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. I saw The JCQ once before at Off The Cuff and really enjoyed them, but this was something else, definitely a band to check out live if you haven’t done so already.

My first ever post on this site was a review of Shapes last release The Pasture, The Oil and I have maintained that it is one of the best EPs I have ever heard, and with rumours of a possible album release this year I was eager to hear some new material. They did not disappoint. Punctuating a punishing set of old songs with AMAZING sounding new material, they thrashed around the stage with an energy matched only by the tightness of the music. 

As a deafening roar filled The Flapper, Blakfish took to the stage for the last time. Joined throughout the set by band members they had befriended over the years filling in for absent vocalist/guitarist Sam Manville, and with everyone in the venue chanting out every line, Blakfish blasted through a set of classics with all the energy and good humour that had become synonymous with their gigs. As set-closer Ringo Starr ended, everyone in the room sang out the final refrain over and over as a stage invasion ensued with people eager to show their appreciation to the band one last time. A feel-good ending to a fantastic night, Blakfish will be missed but never forgotten.

Marko