Live Event: Fozzy, O2 Academy, London, November 14th 2022
A last minute venue change meant intrepid photographer pal Dale and I journeyed to the Islington Academy for a triple bill of rock recently headlined by Fozzy.
The evening started with Scarlet Rebels but unfortunately due to the venue opening the doors incredibly late, we only saw the last couple of their songs which really wasn’t enough to make an impression.
Up next was Escape the Fate, and to be honest they seemed to have a slightly bigger turnout than the headliners! Formed in 2004 (and having quite a few lineup changes), their screamo stylings aren’t usually my bag, but I quite enjoyed it. As did a couple in the crowd who were celebrating their 100th Escape the Fate show. Now that’s commitment!
Chris Jericho of course, is best known as being one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Rising to prominence in Japan and WCW before heading to WWE, Jericho is still going strong in AEW even though he’s now in his 50s.
Naturally, Jericho ports the personality and showmanship he’s exhibited in wrestling for years onto the stage, but there is a little problem…he’s not got the strongest voice.
Surrounding himself with a really good band helps, as does a few gimmicks like a smoke gun (I guess that’s what you call it?) but a live setting does lay bare the inadequacies in the singing department – I’m not saying it sounds amazing on record, but you can make things sound better in the studio.
Fozzys best known song now is “Judas”, and I’m still not 100% if it’s a really good song but thanks to it being Jericho’s entrance theme it’s become a total earworm, but that might just be down to hearing it week in and week out. But of course when they played it live it got the biggest reaction of the night.
A couple of covers are also sprinkled into the set, an ill advised version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” and a bit more like it “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”.
Regardless of vocal shortcomings, Jericho owns the stage and the crowd are well up for it throughout and that’s the main thing.
Review by Thom from press access kindly supplied by Mascot Label Group.
All photos © Dale Brodie 2022
