16/11/2023 The Answer @ Islington Assembly Hall

I've been to a few gigs in Islington over the last few months - mostly at the Hope & Anchor, but tonight in a much bigger venue. Fortunately Islington Assembly Hall is also conveniently close to Highbury & Islington station so nice and easy to get to. I'm here to see The Answer.

This band from Northern Ireland have come a long way since I first saw them early this century. Back then they were playing in the tiny Windmill pub in Brixton. Even back then they were bloody good - and seemed like nice chaps too.

Since playing small South London pubs they have released six albums to much critical aclaim, and gone on to play at venues as large as the O2 Arena in Greenwich supporting the mighty AC/DC.

The Answer spent two years on tour with AC/DC during their 'Black Ice' world tour - which must have been an amazing experience for them.

The band had quite a strong Led Zeppelin influence in their early days, but since then have evolved with their own sound and style - while strongly retaining the 'classic rock' sound and feel.

They can certainly deliver the 'Big Rock Show' when required, but have the musical skills and songs strong enough to stand up on their own.

Even in their early days playing in pubs this band came across as polished and professional, and even back then you could tell they were too good to be slogging round that circuit. And so they proved. Their debut album 'Rise' was very strong.

For the band's 6th album 'Solas' they evolved and took a different turn away from their previous sound and style. This release was still very much a 'rock' album with quality songwriting, but the sound and feel was much more modern. And then they disappeared. Completely. For several years. And everyone thought they had given up and split up....

And now suddenly they are back - with a brand new album 'Sundowners', and they are out on tour again. And guess what? They are still really good!

With most bands when you go to see them play live there are always one or two particular songs you want or expect to hear. With The Answer for me that song is always 'Come Follow Me' because of the fantastic guitar work. Tonight I don't go home disappointed.

It's not all big rock bombast - the band know how to pace things and take it down for a while with some audience participation.

The good thing about 'taking it down' is that when you take it up again it seems more exciting - a lot of heavy bands don't seem to get this.

All in all, a pretty good night of classic rock style music - without the cliches and rock star bullshit that many bands seem to think they have to have in a big rock show. The Answer are still pretty good. I wonder if they are going to 'disappear' again after this tour and album?