If it wasn't for hate, we'd be dead by now

Its a drizzly night in the second city and with the queue snaking its way down into the underpass it promises to be a good night! Its another sold out gig tonight for Lostprophets on tour supporting their latest album 'The Betrayed' with Kids in Glass Houses and Sharks in tow. Its also the hometown show for new drummer 'Jocko' so there was alot riding on tonight and expectations were sky high.

The sight of the queue was a scary prospect, thankfully we only queued for 5 mins thanks to 02 priority! The last time I saw Lostprophets (baring festival appearences) was in 2004 at the old academy! So 6 years later and with four albums under the belt they didnt dissapoint.

First up were Sharks hailing from Leamington Spa, a pretty unknown band they seemed an odd choice for support and they had a tough time getting the crowd going. I personally would have much prefer ed Hexes! Playing a blend of punk infused with Morrisey and The Libertines kind of vibe I couldn't really get into them.

Lostprophets are well known for supporting other welsh bands and fair play to them. They can give the lesser know welsh bands a pretty big platform to play on. I for one have never been a fan of Kids in Glass Houses, too poppy for my taste and having watched them at Reading and not being too impressed I wasn't holding out much hope for them this evening. However they surprised me this, their songs are catchy and Aled is a great front man. I would never go out an buy an album but the ones I have heard before sounded good and I loved the drumming at the end.

For what seemed like forever the wait for Lostprophets was finally over. With quite possibly the loudest roar/cheer I have heard in the academy since it has opened Luke 'Jocko' Johnson took to the stage and straight into the awesome drum beat at the start of 'If it wasn't for hate, we'd be dead by now'. Joined on stage by the rest of Lostprophets bathed in an Erie blue light they then kicked into 'It's not the end of the world'. 'Burn, Burn' and an epically heavy version of 'Start Something' which got the crowd moving with circle pits opening up and kids crushed at the barrier down the front and pushed right up against the sound desk barrier at the back the crowd were loving every second with fist pumped high into the sky. With an absolutely stellar cover of The Prodigy's 'Omen' thrown into the mix Lostprophets were on the top of there game tonight.

Lostprophets are the masters of the sing-a-long chorus and write some of the best pop-rock songs out there. With lots of banter between the guys and a huge build up to the fan favourite Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja with the whole crowd going mental.With an encore of 'The light that burns twice as bright', it was a beautiful end to an amazing evening with Ian Watkins forever labelled as being 'cocky' showing off his vulnerable side.

I've been a fan of Lostprophets since 2002 (I'm 22 now!), they were one of the first rock bands I saw and 5 times later they are still one the best. I watched this band evolve with every record and I'm not gonna say I'm I have loved every song they have released but I will stick by them and go to their shows because your always guaranteed to have an amazing time. People said they couldn't headline Download and they pulled that off, there are always going to be haters of this band but that will never stop them.

Lostprophets still killing it the old way since 2000!