This was the final club date (festivals notwithstanding) on LOVEBITES’ European tour and the band did not disappoint. In fact, after wending their way through the continent the band are in a rich vein of form and they bring all their experience to bear on what promises to be an evening of high-octane heavy metal.
Live Report: Lovebites, The Garage, London on 01 July 2024.
Such is the rabid fandom surrounding LOVEBITES that a queue started forming around the venue in the early afternoon and the excitement started electrifying the air. Fans exchanged anticipation-filled conversations in the build-up to the gig. Once inside, there was a small delay before the band came on stage, but they put it into high gear with the atmospheric but blistering opener The Awakening, an opening song that will pull any newcomer into the world of LOVEBITES.
From the first song, until the last, the pace did not let up, it was hard, fast and heavy. Their breathtaking solos left the audience in awe. I will never not be impressed by the incredible neck work on the guitar of the duo Miyako and Midori (is it even called neck work? Apologies to guitar players in advance!). There was a lot of emphasis on the band’s new bassist Fami, who has been embraced by the band’s fans (affectionately called the Wolfpack) wholeheartedly, as she was introduced with much fanfare and proved herself more than up to the task in her role with a fantastic bass intro to Stand And Deliver which showed the band at its best on all levels.
Asami was enrapturing as always with her stunning voice and control of the crowd, through songs and the between-song segments. Haruna on drums was a powerhouse of beats and got rapturous applause on her drum solo (if anyone knows what that star thing is called on her kit, let me know as I am fascinated by it). One notable moment featured the 2017 classic Don’t Bite The Dust, which was also a nice surprise for a lot of the old fans.
The incredible guitar duel between Midori and Miyako during We The United was a standout moment. Overall this was a fantastic send-off to what has been a great tour for the band, leaving fans exhilarated and hopeful for a swift return.
LOVEBITES Set List:
1. The Awakening
2. The Hammer Of Wrath
3. When Destinies Align
4. Stand And Deliver (Shoot ‘Em Down)
5. Shadowmaker
6. Judgement Day
7. Raise Some Hell
8. Soldier Stands Solidarity
9. Don’t Bite The Dust
10. Rising
11. M.D.O.
12. We The UnitedEncore:
13. Holy War
14. Glory To The World
P.S. a big shout out to their tour photographer, that guy was a one man social media team.
Photography by Jim Grant/Wonderlens
