Saints of Sin - The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth 21st February 2020

The stage was set for Saints of Sin’s biggest headlining show to date at the Old Fire Station in Bournemouth. I’m sure many other like-minded people, akin to myself, have been keenly looking forward to what would turn out to be another blistering SOS performance, played to a packed crowd for their first gig of 2020.

While the venue was not officially sold out it was well filled and sweaty by the time we made it there (many hours driving meant we sadly missed the supports South Of Salem and Wolf Jaw much to my disappointment, arriving with literally only minutes before Saints hit the stage) There were a few hundred in attendance in a venue that had good vantage points from all angles, whether you are a barfly or more keen to get nearer the front, that in itself is a rare thing these days - the ability to actually be able to see the performance and not least the sizeable crowd that showed up to support the boys.

The sophomore album ‘Saints Of Sin’ was always going to be the primary source for the setlist. Things kicked off with ‘The Big Bad Wolf’ which went down a storm. I am certain the album got the best airing it possibly could, so anyone who had not yet heard it or bought it (shame on you!) would have received some great grounding in hearing some essential tuneage…..possibly with the only exception - the omission of ‘Cryin’ Eyes’ which I waited for as it’s one of my favourites, alas it never materialised. Both ballads from the album ‘Forever’ and ‘End Of Time’ were met with musical precision Marcus taking to the Ivory tinklers for the latter, a treat I have seen a few times now. Rui absolutely slays both songs and the sound is as true to the album release as it can get, fantastic on both counts. There were a couple of cheesy segues into songs such as ‘Heart Attack’ - “Josh are you feeling ok etc you look like you’re going to have a……” all tongue in cheek stuff!

Not only did we get the pleasure of virtually the whole of album two, we got treated to some early classics from the debut including the title track in ’Welcome To The Circus’. ‘Rocket’ and ‘Wasted Nights’ gave Rui the added opportunity to get the crowd dancing, bouncing, jumping and hip swaying in all feasible directions.

One of the best highlights of the night has to be the genius that was the inclusion of Swing Unlimited Big Band - Clothed from top to toe in hats, dark glasses and suits, armed with a brass section of Trumpets and Trombones. These guys and gals have played on the album, which may have been news to some, but this is no happy accident and goddamn it works so well. They definitely sexed up the set offering and added dimension with their big band sound and horny goodness! It brought a big stage, arena show into a smaller venue and gave an awesome edge to ‘Nasty Love’, a funktastic cover of ‘Uptown Funk’ and even Aerosmith’s ‘Dude, Looks Like a Lady’ were given the treatment by the trumpets and trombones and as Marcus, Ash and Josh played along, it was hard to ignore Rui’s smiles a million miles wide. You could just tell he was loving every second, a fact that was confirmed in a brief chat after the show. SUBB have surely got to be included in future shows when and where possible, but there won’t be any Bublé or swing time covers anytime soon I am reassured of, no worries there!

The offer was made to all in the audience to attend nearby bars ‘Buffalo’ and ‘Anvil’ to party on and get better acquainted with the hosts of the evenings entertainment, an offer I would have accepted but for my wife injuring her foot dancing and prancing. This meant I had to assist her back to the hotel as she was physically spent.

The night was well and truly rounded off in true Saints style- ’21 Shots’, a slow starter to mid pace with a frenzied finish and a huge crowd pleaser, beer flying through the air and a mini mosh pit meant this one finished everything on a high.

So, Saints Of Sin started the night already a well established act on the South Coast and this show surely only went further into cementing their place as one of the best up and coming contemporary rock acts on the scene. They should be so much bigger and the songs, the sound, the show all deserve wider recognition. If they are playing somewhere near you get yourself down to the show, you won’t be disappointed.

You can catch the guys live very soon at The Cavern Freehouse, Coombe Lane, London on Friday 28th February @8pm and then on Saturday 29th February at Engine Rooms, Southampton @Giants of Rock, 7pm.