The Strokes -w- Mercy Arms : Horden Pavilion - August 4, 2006.

What a disappointment to be pushed around by some hundreds of scrawny mid-teen guys and girls at the Horden Pavilion last Friday night.Yet I was soon to be put in a much better mood when I saw Thom stroll across the stage as a smirk came across my face whilst Kirin, Jules and Ash (collectively Mercy Arms) soon followed suit and started one of the best live sets I've seen in recent times, which made me proud to have been apart of this band at its conception.They punched through their set offering a large helping of what was yet to come for the band as they prepare to release their first EP in the following months. It was a very pleasing sample indeed, "Shot Right Down" an old favourite and i was surprised to see that some audience members (who must be keen myspacers) singing along to this very song. As per usual, and to some female crowdmembers delight, Kirin went straight ahead and exchanged his shirt for a bare chested look. Yeah some of you girls may have been hugged or had the chance to touch Kirin in some of his stage-divings yet I can claim that I was slapped on the ass by this charming man! Thanks man.Anyway it is obvious that these guys have gained a much larger fanbase (and deservedly so) through their extensive tour with The Strokes. So look-out for them, I think they'll be on JTV and Home & Hosed soon as well as on tour with wolf and cub in sept.The lights dimmed at around 9 and everyone went "crazy go nuts" as Jules, Nick, Albert, Nikolai and Fab walked smoothly aross the dimmed stage and went straight into the first single from "First Impressions of Earth"; Juicebox, where Jules proclaimed "...Cold, You're So Cold, You're So Coooooold!" Quite the opposite for us in the mosh as I realised I desparately needed something to drink. Unfortunately I had stupidly malnurished and under hydrated myself that day and subsequently started feeling the symptoms of a black-out as I soon after headed for the foyer. As I Found my way there the guys finished Juicebox and followed-up with The End Has No End. I grabbed a couple of waters and then headed for the stands as Heart In A Cage had just commenced. I'd never watched a show from the seats (only at the end of Placebo in 2004) and being able to get a spot in the centre facing straight towards to stage, I wasn't too disappointed and had no real ambition to go back for another possible black-out in the front.It was an amazing show, both audio and visually stunning. The 1.5 hour set was just fine for me as it was packed with old favourites including Someday, Last Nite, Hard to Explain, Reptilia and New York City Cops (in the encore) as well as my new album favourite, now the second single from the album You Only Live Once. WOW!This show wasn't as emotionally stirring as last years' Gaelic Club gig (as camping-out with fellow strokes fans and actually being able to purchase (and show off) one of only 600 tickets that were released made one feel quite special), yet this show just seemed to be a lot more pleasing as the favourites shone and we all had time for the album to sink in.A great night was surely had by all and a great new band, for some people, had been added to a list. And I managed to score the last small hoodie as security were telling everyone to go home. Just a fun band I will definately be seeing more of in the future and it's also good to know that they are great guys offstage.Alex.