Skip to main content
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
Home
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search

The Subways

  • Main
  • Videos
  • News

Gig Review: The Subways

Shepherds Bush Empire, September 12

  • Share to Facebook
  • Tweet to Twitter
  • Share to Google plus
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 10:52


Its been a while coming, joked a breathless Billy Lunn half way through The Subways blistering set at the Shepherds Bush Empire last night (Sept 12).

He wasnt exaggerating. The gig was originally scheduled for April this year, but just days before the date Billy was diagnosed with nodules on his vocal chords " a potentially career-ending affliction for a rock n roll frontman. Frustratingly, they had to cancel gigs across Europe and the US, disastrous for a new band touring their first album. Subways fans everywhere held their breath.

But last night Billy, Charlotte and Josh proved theyre back in business, and from the rapt attention of the crowd it seems theyve lost none of their momentum. Hows my voice sounding? the frontman asked at one point. Better than ever, judging by the response from the West London hordes.

And they havent been twiddling their thumbs during their break. We were treated to four new tracks from the new record, the highlights being California and Girls and Boys.

All three were as charismatic on stage as ever. From the opening chords of fans favourite With You to the dying moments of the glorious Rock and Roll Queen finale (which the crowd had been screaming for all night), Billy and Charlotte bounded across the stage with seemingly limitless energy. At times Charlottes hair resembled a car wash so frenzied was her head banging, and Billy twice gamely dived from the stage into the expectant arms of the crowd. Even drummer Josh joined in with some crowd surfing of his own, trashing his drum kit in the process and sending roadies scurrying to resurrect it in time for the next track.

But the nights pinnacle was a moment of sheer rock n roll lunacy. Mid way through Rock and Roll Queen, stripped to the waist, Billy left the stage, with Charlotte and Josh playing on. Seconds later he appeared on the first level balcony, running through the crowd as they reached out to grab him. And not to let down the fans in the cheaper seats he continued his mad dash to the upper levels.

Then, reappearing on the first level, he climbed onto the balconys edge and teetered precariously above the crowd - a good 18 feet below. For the first time in the night the fans quietened down. Surely he wasnt going to but then he did. Arms outstretched, he dived onto the masses below who, despite his slender frame, initially buckled under the pressure. For a second it was impossible to tell whether hed been injured or not, but then he was up, on top of the crowd and surfing back towards the stage where nervy-looking bouncers dragged him to safety.

I feel like Ive just run a marathon! he exclaimed, before finishing the song and ending what had been an explosive gig. It might have been a while coming, but boy was it worth the wait.

James Hopkirk

Latest News

Arlo Parks - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Arlo Parks Has Her Sights On Acting & Directing
AWA - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
AWA Says Her Debut Album Is ‘Very Vulnerable and Open’
220 KID - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
220 KID Tells Us The Heroic Reason Behind His Name
Alfie Templeman - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Alfie Templeman Just Wants To Make You Smile
MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Voting For MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021 Is Open!
Get To Know - Iann Dior
Get To Know: iann dior
Get To Know - J.I the Prince of N.Y
Get To Know: J.I The Prince Of N.Y
Khloé Kardashian Reacts To “Disrespectful” Typo On Throwback Family Christmas Card
Shawn Mendes Reveals How He And Camila Cabello Are Spending Christmas
Selena Gomez Wins An Award From Peta For Her Vegan Rare Beauty Makeup Collection
Get To Know - Holly Humberstone
Get To Know: Holly Humberstone
Addison Rae And Rachael Leigh Cook Recreate She’s All That Scene On TikTok
The Weeknd - Blinding Lights - Music Video
The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' Was MTV’s Most Played Video Of 2020
Cardi B Surprises Offset With A Lamborghini In Celebration Of His 29th Birthday
Kylie Jenner Named Highest Paid Celebrity Of 2020 With Nearly $550 Million
Dixie D’Amelio Defends Herself After A Fan Doubted Her Feelings For Noah Beck
Shawn Mendes Opens Up About “Frustrating” Rumours Surrounding His Sexuality
Dove Cameron Confirms Her Split From Thomas Doherty After Four Years Together
Timothée Chalamet Transforms Into Harry Styles For His SNL Hosting Debut
The Kardashian-Jenner Family Have Signed A Multi-Year Content Deal With Hulu

More From The Subways

The Subways
I Won't Let You Down
The Subways
Rock & Roll Queen
The Subways
Alright
The Subways
Girls & Boys
The Subways
I won't Let You Down
The Subways
Rock & Roll Queen
Gig Review: The Subways
The Subways
Oh Yeah (Version 2)
Subways London Gigs Cancelled
Exclusive Subways Interview!
Subways Want Chems To Produce Album
Subways – 'Sometimes We Hug!'

Trending Articles

Charli D’Amelio Sets The Record Straight About A Fake “Leaked” Picture Online
10 Things Your Heartbroken Friend Needs To Hear
Celebrity
10 Celebrities Who Have Some Seriously Kinky Sex Likes In The Bedroom
21 Types Of People You'll Find In Every Friendship Group
MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Voting For MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021 Is Open!
18 Most Naked Of Naked Moments To Have Ever Hit Geordie Shore
Arlo Parks - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
Arlo Parks Has Her Sights On Acting & Directing
AWA - MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2021
AWA Says Her Debut Album Is ‘Very Vulnerable and Open’
  • Contact Us
  • Access Services
  • Website Terms
  • Mobile Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • MTV Jobs
  • MTV Press
  • Anti-Slavery
  • Global Tax Policy Statement
Hit us with some keywords!