Chris Cornell Carries On in Birmingham

Chris Cornell at O2 Academy2 Birmingham Review

0/5
Bands: Chris Cornell
Venue: O2 Academy2 Birmingham
Gig: Chris Cornell
Gig date: 4th September 2007
Posted on 14th November 2007 by Hellgobbin

Birmingham Academy provides an intimate setting for tonight’s gig. Here the punters can get a pint and take a seat, safe in the knowledge that there’s no need to assume a wide-legged power stance in order to get a good spot, because there’s a great view of the stage from all sides. By quarter to nine it’s obvious that there’s no-one brave enough to precede a legend like Chris Cornell and after all, who can blame them. Tonight’s audience, though erring on the mature side, is noticeably diverse in terms of age, which serves as a testimony to Cornell’s magnetism throughout his career, picking up new fans at every venture since the late eighties. When the former Soundgarden frontman and his band invade the stage age counts for nothing, as the crowd go nuts for their idol. He really is close enough to touch and looking like that at over forty, there’s no-one here that wouldn’t want to. In fact, for a man with such a well-honed rock-star pout, he is surprisingly gracious in his frequent forays to the front of the stage to grasp the crowd’s outstretched hands and in his reverent acknowledgement of the band. The set-list is well chosen and drags those watching through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. One of an elite group of rock stars who have a body of work so large and varied, Cornell airs relatively little from his latest solo effort Carry On, giving the audience what they want with Soundgarden classics, Audioslave hits and covers. Original Fire and Rusty Cage get people jumping up and down like someone’s lit a fire at their feet, whilst during the acoustic set you could hear a pin drop. The haunting cover of Billie Jean stands out and Fell On Black Days makes you forget that it could be performed any other way than by a solitary man and his guitar. The crowd’s trance is broken by two of Soundgarden’s greatest songs, as Cornell’s unique voice glides effortlessly from the low growl of Black Hole Sun to the ear-splitting vocal onslaught of Jesus Christ Pose. If the audience tonight seem somewhat subdued it’s certainly not because there’s anything underwhelming about the show Cornell and his band put on. Most people are moshing gently to themselves whilst watching open mouthed, trying to cope with just how good he sounds after all these years. After two hours of belting his heart out for Birmingham, Cornell and his band slip seamlessly from Slaves and Bulldozers to Led Zeppelin, leaving the majority of the audience in a state of semi-shock and amazement, but all with a Whole Lotta Love.

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