First on tonight though are Sheffield based The Legacy, guitars, hairstyles and all. Unfortunately though, partly due to sound levels, the music they make is one big collection of undecipherable noise from one end to the other with no real reason to get excited. They feel a little image and sound conscious on making sure they sound like certain bands and this annoyingly shields them from the kind of music they could be making. All in all, a conservative set of Hardcore music which really doesn’t go anywhere, but potential can be spotted.

Hoping to turn things around next are Japanese hardcore mentalists FC Five who completely rip apart the 150 capacity ferryboat in a matter of seconds. Despite having sound level problems, including a couple of instants where the venue’s sound limiter cut them out, they don’t let that bother them, they just continue to play as passionately as they were before, amps cut off or none, because that is the way they play and feel about their music. It is actually inspiring to watch them continue playing knowing the sound will be hurriedly turned on by a stressed out sound man in a few seconds anyway. But as for when sound is allowed to come out of their amps and P.A, they sound absolutely phenomenal. Turning heads around in the whole bar, as the band excitedly jump around and feel free as they play. Their sound is one that can be reckoned to some of the most critically acclaimed Hardcore bands that have ever existed, and mirror the passion and the violence bands like, The Hope Conspiracy and Refused used to shine with on their live performances. But what also is impressive about them is that they are not afraid to use less obvious influences including Jazz influences and even early real Emo like At the Drive-in. ‘Jaded Hope’ sounds as tight and impressive as any of the aforementioned band’s live acts, and is a total joy to watch.

Up until tonight, New yoik straightedge Hardcore band Bane were the scheduled headlining band due to their bigger history and involvement in setting up the whole tour, but alas, it seems Comeback Kid’s recent surge of popularity has lifted them way beyond the heights of Bane, and is a lot of ways, is fully justified. But Bane are a far more straight up Hardcore band who perhaps don’t want the same sort of fame Comeback kid are fast acquiring. Bane’s set backs this theory up too, with a very old school Hardcore sound rivalling those recognised to bands such as Minor Threat and a far less approachable set to, say Comeback Kid. And they play a very tight and passionate set, enough to get some critics head’s moving but still not really enough to be anything that great. Despite the impressive performance, and probably being the best sound equipped band of the night, their music lacks variety in a big way, and really doesn’t go anywhere throughout.

But where the last two bands were good, Comeback Kid destroyed. Their set is as tight as a well trained ninja technique, and really is out to show just why they have become such a favourable band. The vocals sounding much stronger live than on record, the whole band giving it their all to get everyone extremely excited, so much so in fact, that a massive stage invasion took place throughout their set, getting more and more ridiculous yet passionate as they play. In fact by the time they get to their finale and recent single ‘Wake the Dead’ nearly everyone in attendance to the show are piled onto the band, screaming their lungs out to every word as if their lives depended on it, truly a memory of an amazing show.

It’s said that you haven’t seen a live act until you’ve seen a really passionate and energized Hardcore band play, tonight, this theory not only proved this, but also tipped its hat; Hardcore is very much alive.

Words and photos: Adam Turner-Heffer