Biffy Clyro, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

Wednesday evening, Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. The sun is shining casting a warm glow on the promenading tourists, and over the Ross Bandstand. Or should that be the Bulmer’s’ Sunshine Stage? Things are about to get interesting. Two hundred competition winning fans are sitting in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and Scotland’s’ band de jour are about to rip through a seven track semi-acoustic set, four from the Mercury nominated album ‘Only Revolutions’ (‘God & Satan’, ‘Many of Horror’, ‘The Captain’, ‘Mountains’) two from ‘Puzzle’ (‘Saturday Superhouse’, ‘Machines’) and a wild card B-side (‘Little Soldiers’)

First shock of the evening is Simon Neil’s festive hairstyle. More suited to the Edinburgh winter celebrations it elicits an audible gasp from the assembled fans. The exclusion of any pre-2007 output is the second. Still, with a back catalogue as strong as theirs, no great worry. The lack of oomph from a stack of Marshals is more of a concern. Biffy Clyro have undoubtedly got some fine melodies and well crafted lyrics, but their reputation and success is so attributable to a fierce, passionate live experience that the lack thereof is disconcerting. The hushed sing-a-long and respectful applause of the first few tracks soon makes way to a feeling of being witness to a unique event: Biffy Clyro in a contemplative mood.

The biggest reactions of the 45 minute set unquestionably follow ‘The Captain’ and ‘Mountains’, and it’s easy to see why. Even the absence of a horn section can not repress the former, and the chart friendly latter closes the performance on a high. Just as we and they are getting in to our stride it is all over. A wonderful setting, beautiful weather and great sound; unfortunately one cant but feel this was Biffy-by-numbers.

A video of the event will soon be available to watch on https://www.bulmers.co.uk. Photo Credit: Andy Buchanan.