Yellowcard, Birmingham O2 Institute - review

All would not run smoothly for their last show in Birmingham at the O2 Institute however - after spells of dizziness hospitalised bassist Josh Portman, the band were forced to decide whether to perform the show without him or cancel their last Birmingham show.

Thankfully the band powered through while sending their love to Josh, and treated the audience to an acoustic rendition of their debut album Ocean Avenue played back to front.

To warm the crowd up though, first came their rather eclectic support acts.

First up are punk rock outfit Kenneths, also powering through against the odds with their drummer storming the stage with a recovering broken foot.

Kenneths instantly made me feel like I was in a Scott Pilgrim movie with their sugar-coated and fun punk rock odes, their music was fast-paced and raw but with an atmosphere that lessened of the threat of getting your head kicked in in the crowd. This is music you can throw your arms around to, but also dance to.

Twinned with their rapport with the crowd and almost comical rebellious actions such as simulating sex with a bass guitar and their vocalist ordering the crowd to carry him across their heads after singing a song about sex - this was a fun and all-round energetic set.

Next up were Swedish rockers Normandie, taking to the stage in a bewildering and cacophonous introduction that was quickly broken and streamlined into a melodic and tight set.

Vocalist Philip Strand had a voice so strong and smooth it could lift barbells - which twinned with groove-tinged guitar and rolling drum beats instantly hooked the audience's attention.

They may not have had the same joking rapport with the crowd as Kenneths - due to a language barrier and all - but they had the audience in the palms of their hands not only due to their talented musicianship, but also down to their hip-shaking dance moves and almost choreographed movement.

The stage was theirs to own, and own it they did.

With a sombre air hanging over their heads, Yellowcard entered the stage as soon as they could to address the issues that they had faced.

The worry the band were feeling was evident in every part of their face and in their body language - but they sent their love to Josh and asked the crowd to do the same, before grabbing their acoustic guitars, and violin, to dive into Ocean Avenue.

To hear an album that shaped my youth was a treat of unimaginable proportions - Way Away, Breathing and Ocean Avenue had the crowd singing louder in excitement than anyone could have imagined. The smiles on the band's faces were ones of relief - the audience were not annoyed by this change of set, and the fun was about to begin.

The show felt incredibly personal, as it was like watching a Yelowcard rehearsal in front of your eyes as the band warmed up to each song and openly admitted where they were less practised.

You would not have been able to tell they were less-practised however - the vocals were radio perfect, the guitar riffs soaring and hair-raising and not to mention the jaw-dropping violin solos that frequently had the crowd whooping with glee.

The relationship visible between the band members tugged at my heartstrings, knowing the band would be splitting - the jokes between them about their growing ages, family relationships and the content of their songs had the audience rolling around with laughter.

Between the fun and laughter came emotional moments, such as a rendition of Only One with the O2 Institute alight with phone screens and lighters swaying in the air, to View From Heaven and it's dedication to vocalist Ryan Key's childhood friend Scott who lost his life to juvenile diabetes.

Each song came with a personal explanation to what led to it's inception and what the songs meant, another once in a lifetime moment I will treasure forever as it added extra depths to the already influential songs.

Ending on a high-octane version of Back Home, Yellowcard waved their final goodbyes to Birmingham and walked into the stage's mist for the last time.

Despite their obvious reservations and trepidation, Yellowcard treated Birmingham fans to a once-in-a-lifetime show that I know I personally will always hold dear.

I wish bassist Josh Portman a swift recovery, and the rest of Yellowcard the best in their future.

By Becci Stanley