American Football have become regular visitors to the UK over the past couple of years and with the release of LP2 in 2016 they have returned for a show at “their favourite venue” The Shepherds Bush Empire.

The gig is a real winter warmer. Support comes from New Jersey native/Chicago inhabitant Evan Thomas Weiss AKA; Into It. Over It.

Before he plays bass for American Football, Evan gets an extensive solo set, suffering from ‘Man flu’ like symptoms his singing voice remains intact and with three albums of material, he delivers a fine solo set.

American Football sound as dreamy live as they do on record. LP2 is played front to back and in order for the first half of the gig. Perhaps playing the songs in order is a bit uninspiring (unless it’s a 20th anniversary tour) but,, it really does suit this particular band. The music is intense, relationships, ups .. mainly downs ... so when listening to LP2, you listen to the whole album again and again, so for the live show, you can experience the same emotions.

The band formed in1997, with LP1 disbanded in 2000 and then reunited in 2014, with LP2 as already mentioned being released ilast year. There is a certain mystique about the band so, when Mike Kinsella say’s something like “You’ve had your money’s worth”, you wonder if the gig is coming to a premature close. Thankfully it’s just a break (not sure why they would need one) and after fifteen minutes they are back for songs from LP1 and the ninety minutes of the show are effectively sublime.

Pete

Set List

Where Are We Now?

My Instincts Are the Enemy 


Home Is Where the Haunt Is 


Born to Lose


I've Been So Lost for So Long

Give Me the Gun

I Need a Drink (or Two or Three)


Desire Gets in the Way


Everyone Is Dressed Up 



Break

The One With the Tambourine

Stay Home 
Honestly? 


For Sure


I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional 


The Summer Ends 


Never Meant

New dates added for more shows in the summer:

1 Sep 
- Brigton Concorde 2
2 Sep 
- Albert Hall

 Manchester
3 Sep - 
Summerhall

 Edinburgh
4 Sep -  Button Factory

 Dublin, Ireland