Just pause for a moment. Picture that well known image of a snowball being pushed off the top of a hill. It’s gaining momentum. It rolls on down, faster and faster, gathering more and more snow to itself. Finally it knocks everything out of its path as it goes hurtling on and on into the distance.

The Blossoms journey is that snowball. The snow is the growing fan base that the Blossoms experience draws to itself. The snow is also the musical expertise, the performance skills, the song writing craftsmanship that this young band exhibits increasingly these days. I am not exaggerating when I say that the distance they have come in less than six months is incredible. People who knew them as a local Stockport band in the very beginning talk of an even bigger change.

I first saw them here in October, 2015 and immediately drove down to Birmingham the following weekend to see them again. I have met so many other people who have seen them multiple times too. Bands at their inception are raw and there is something unique to be said for saying that you witnessed them before they really took off. Last year they played in the small room at the O2 Academy to less than 400 people but this weekend played to 2000 people who went crazy from beginning to end. I talked to Dave of Even The Stars Music (@eventhestarsuk) and we both agreed that this gig was even on another level again from the Albert Hall gig in Manchester the previous month, which itself had been an incredible experience.

So what has caused the momentum to go in their favour? Exposure on Radio 1 has helped massively, be it airplay for singles, Charlemagne and At Most A Kiss, or the recent Live Lounge with Clara Amfo. It’s no surprise that fans were demanding these two singles plus WSTRN’s In2U that they covered for Radio 1. These are the songs that have catapulted them into the national spotlight. When you graduate from late night to daytime, prime time radio, then things can’t help but grow. They have enough good songs from the EP’s and singles to play for much longer and with an album due for imminent release the problem will be whether to leave songs out or just play for longer. I know which option this audience would prefer. Think of all the really good songs which could not be played here but were worthy of it: Madeleine, Misery, For Evelyn, Stormy.

There was an immense energy at the O2, crowd and band feeding off each other’s excitement. The bellowing audience fed the band’s flames and set off a conflagration of indie pop n roll that left those in the huge moshpit reeling and rocking in ecstasy. There were poignant moments too. The Viola Beach set at the beginning of the night continues to inspire reflection on what might have been had it not been the way it was. They would have rocked this venue tonight. When Tom asked for applause for Viola Beach it went on for so long and reached such a crescendo that people were visibly moved. I think the band themselves were taken aback. Although it’s not far from Warrington to Liverpool is it? Or Stockport for that matter.

It’s a shame the Vryll Society couldn’t have been there to play in front of their home crowd but they will continue to wow audiences on their forthcoming headline tour in April. Their stand-ins were relative newcomers, Cabbage, whose high octane post punk, politically infused energy went down a storm. It was received well, even by those whose parents probably weren’t alive when punk erupted here. “Yes, your grandad saw the Sex Pistols and the Clash back then.” They have great potential, boundless enthusiasm and energy and destined to get better and better.

The Blossoms factor continued after the gig with a mini Beatlemania as fans scrambled to have their tickets (and buttocks in one case!) signed. I don’t remember there being a metal barrier last October yet it’s another indication of how things have come on. In spite of that physical barrier there is no relationship barrier they are still very down to earth lads who take time to interact with the fans and are devoid of airs and graces. They are very much like Van MCCann of CATB in that respect. And then the party rolled on to Mojos, where the band delighted fans some more with their impromptu appearance as they danced in the booths into the night.

 

You don’t need to take my word for where this band are headed. Here is just a small selection of comments that appeared on Twitter in the wake of their O2 appearance.

 

Luke: @Blossomsband can’t think of a better way to spend a tenner…Mint gig

Jake Marley: Yo @Blossomsband legit just took the roof off @O2AcademyLiverpool

Ellie: @Blossomsband WERE MENTAL. THANK U FOR SUCH A GD NIGHT XX

Tom McDermott: That gig tonight was one I’ll talk about in years to come. Absolutely brilliant. Well in lads.

Anna Hats: @Blossomsband were INCREDIBLE in Liverpool tonight. Can’t wait to see them again.

Alan Downie: Can’t get over how good @Blossomsband were last night. By far the best I’ve ever seen them! @ahcabbage were great as well.

Robert Jones: That @Blossomsband gig last night was the best gig I’ve been to in a while…And confirmed that they’re going to be massive!

EJB: @Blossomsband banged like x

And finally, from the horse’s mouth:

@Blossomsband LIVERPOOL WAS CRAZY LAST NIGHT.Thank you for selling that out for us.

 

 

©Cre8ivation