Album launch
As If… live, Aurora Noise launch gig, Feb 28th 2009.
Launching their first album for more than four years, As If… played to a full house at Long Crendon Baptist Church on Saturday 28th February. A few things always spring to mind when thinking of an As If gig – good, solid, well played rock music, plenty of good humour, and a no-nonsense witness to their faith. All these and more were in evidence at this showcase gig.
Visually, the scene was set well by effective lighting and well-produced video that blended live action with pre-recorded material. The sound was generally well mixed and made the music a pleasure to hear. Musically, the band showed how much they have developed and matured over the years, giving one of the most well rounded and spontaneous feeling performances I’ve seen from them. This was aided beautifully by the addition of a live keyboard player, backing vocalist and guest fiddler, Phil Wright, and was less obviously reliant on the backing tracks they use so well.
The set rightly featured mainly new material from the Aurora Noise album, but also had a good selection of older songs and well-chosen covers. Although their now famous metal detector was absent, drummer Phil’s solo from a moving running machine that was cleverly set into the stage was a good, imaginative, alternative. The audience clearly enjoyed this well produced show and were left calling for more. Let’s hope it’s not so long between albums this time, and the band get the bookings and audiences they deserve.
Dave Meade